Arab Aroma: A History of Arab Perfumes
By: Maryem Bouatlaoui / Arab America Contributing Writer
Trending on Social Media
Tik Toker and Instagrammer Funmi Monet went viral on social media for her expertise in Arab perfumes. From oud to jasmine to orange blossom: she knows it all. Monet and many other influencers have tuned into the Arab scents and aromas. Let’s look into the history and significance of perfumery in the Arab World.
Oud, the Wood of the Gods
Oud is arguably the Arab world’s most popular fragrance. Also referred to as the “wood of the gods,” its strong, fragrant wooden scent is emblematic of the Arab world. Interestingly enough, oud originates from Vietnam, dating back to the third century A.D. Oud oil was extracted from Vietnamese Aquilaria trees and traded throughout China, Thailand, and Japan. Regional trade then disseminated oud oil all across the Islamic world and instantly became popular in alchemy, perfumery, medicine, and spirituality.
Now, oud continues to rapidly grow in popularity, becoming one the most expensive oils per ounce at $5000 per pound. Its high value comes from its rarity as it is quite hard to come across pure, oud essence. Its extraction method involves an intricate process that includes hours of resin-infused wood carving and distillation.
Given its high price, synthetic oud is used in modern-day perfumery. Synthetic oud is typically what is found in most mainstream perfumeries.
The Essence of Frankincense
Frankincense is another scent renowned for its potent smell in the Arab world. Recognized by all of the Abrahamic religions, frankincense is not only a cultural fragrance but also a religious fragrance in the Arab world. Similar to oud, frankincense is a resin that comes from the Boswellia tree, which is only found in Somalia and Oman.
There are many uses for frankincense, cultural and religious. Many burn frankincense and let the smoke fill their houses with its fragrant scent. In the religious context, frankincense is known to repel evil spirits and negative energy.
Frankincense recently became popular in aromatherapy. It is known for relaxing the body, decongesting the nasal passage, and strengthening focus and memory.
In perfumery, frankincense is combined with other fragrant notes to create a diverse aromatic experience. 13% of all perfumes contain at least a hint of frankincense. It is often mixed with vanilla, lavender, or rose to offset its potency.
While frankincense is now mainly sold as an essential oil, many perfumes contain frankincense. Luxury perfume brands such as Amouage specialize in frankincense fragrances.
The Sweet Smell of Roses
Roses are also essential in Arab perfumes. In the 10th century, renowned Arab philosopher and doctor, Avicenna, introduced rose water into the Arab world. At first, rose water was used to dispel house odors, however, it later transformed into a fragrance. In Islam, rose water is associated with purity and wisdom, and it is worn by both men and women.
Rose water not only plays a major role in Arab perfumery but also in Arab cosmetics. Women commonly use rose water in their daily skincare and makeup routines as rose water is said to shrink pores and reduce redness.
The sweet scent of rose is found in most luxury perfume brand lines. However, it is common for Arabs to use pure rose flower water, which is sold in either a simple glass bottle or spray. Miss Dior’s Rose N’Roses and Nest’s Turkish Rose Perfume Oil are one of the most popular rose perfumes.
The Arab Perfume Market
International luxury brands have delved into the world of Arab perfumery and have adopted the tones and fragrances of the Middle Eastern North African region. The regional MENA perfume market continues to grow as companies expand their aromatic selections. The perfume industry is the most profitable market in the United Arab Emirates, valued at $579.2 million in 2021. Other countries such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia are also known for their robust perfume markets. Given the international social media presence, buyers are looking for authentic, Arab perfumes from the Middle East and North African region, which seems economically promising.
Arab perfumes have always been one of the most sought-after fragrances in the world. Based on historically traditional essences, Arab perfumes will never lose their allure and richness.
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