The Science and Craft of Attar Making

Making attar is both an art and a science. Unlike synthetic perfumes made with alcohol and lab-derived molecules, attars are crafted through a slow distillation process using real botanical ingredients.

Here’s how it works:

• Fresh flowers (like rose, jasmine, kewra) are placed in a large copper pot called a deg.
• The pot is sealed and heated over a wood fire.
• The steam carrying the floral essence travels through a bamboo pipe into a receiver (bhapka) filled with sandalwood oil.
• The process can take days or even weeks, depending on the raw material.

The result? A highly concentrated, alcohol-free essence that ages beautifully — like wine. The use of sandalwood oil as a base not only preserves the fragrance but also enhances it.

Modern perfumery may offer efficiency, but attar offers depth, individuality, and soul. Each bottle differs slightly, depending on the weather, soil, and flowers used — making every drop unique.