There is something truly magical and mesmerising that transpires when I light my bakhoor burner. It seems to take me to a familiar place that I have never been to. And my love for bakhoor is only a few years old.
It started out as any other day. While looking around a Middle Eastern store I beheld something so beautiful. Something so shiny, sparkly and intriguing. A golden bakhoor burner, also known as a Mabkhara. I held it up and asked my husband what it was. Over the next few minutes, he helped me find all the accompaniments that go with the burner, and off I went out the store with my new baby.
Once home I quickly gathered my new supplies in the kitchen. I lit up the charcoal disk, placed it in the burner and added the Bakhoor. Immediately there was a most beautiful and hypnotic smell brought with the smoke that was fast invading the room. Like google suggested, I carried the burner to my cupboard and let the smoke envelope my clothes, as well as my hair and outfit. I smelled amazing. If ever I wanted to feel like an Arabian Princess, this was the key to it. The house smelled amazing for days.
I still have that burner, but I now use an electric burner as I prefer not to use the charcoal disks (I run out too quickly). The smell is still amazing!
WHAT IS BAKHOOR?
Bakhoor (originating from the Arabic word for incense – bakhur) is a blend of perfumed wooden chips or powder, spices and oils. Said wooden chips originate from a unique species of trees that grow in the Middle East and South East Asia from a tree called Aquilaria that has been infected with a type of mold. Hmmm who knew a moldy piece of tree could smell so good? Anyway, the result is a fragrant and resinous wood called Agarwood, or what is commonly known as Oud.
That moldy piece of tree can cost thousands of dollars per kg due to its high demand, limited supply and overall difficulty in obtaining that bit of mold. Because of this, the majority of oud perfumes and products use synthetic oud.
Regardless of being real oud or not, Bakhoor with Oud smells incredible!
SOME HISTORY ON BAKHOOR
Bakhoor has been around for a very very long time. Thousands of years in fact. Ancient Egyptians and various Arabian civilisations used Bakhoor for rituals, spiritual purposes as well as for the aroma. Bakhoor doesn’t have just one use.
Nowadays, many Middle Eastern households craft their own bakhoor and serve the intoxicating smells to guests in the Bakhoor burners when they enter their house to cover their hair and clothes in the enchanting fumes.
Bakhoor is fast becoming popular in the West as well. The captivating fumes of this rare and beautiful mold and spices has put the world in a choke hold.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BAKHOOR THAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU
Depending on your preferences with strong or subtle smells, there is a Bakhoor to suit everybody.
The most fun part is choosing your Bakhoor Burner! There are so many designs and colours to choose from. There are standard burners that require a charcoal piece, electric burners, or the handheld burners that are powered by USB and are growing in popularity. If you look online you will see a ton of video tutorials on how to use the handheld burners to scent hair.
Once that is sorted you will need to choose your Bakhoor. I prefer the brand Banafa for Oud as they have a lot of variety to choose from. Make sure to check the ingredients used in the blends as different combinations of the oud, spices and oils produce different scents. Depending on your chosen blend, some are floral, and sweet, and some more woody, earthy and potent. Some are very strong and some more subtle.
I recommend going into a shop that sells Bakhoor so you can test out the products available. Chances are if the store you are going into is Middle Eastern , they will likely have Bakboor burning anyway! So, if you like that smell then you know what to choose.
Make sure to burn your Bakhoor in a well ventilated area and don’t go away and leave it to burn (fire hazard). Additionally, ensure you research thoroughly beforehand to confirm that the fumes will be safe for your lungs and for your health.
I wish you all the best on your Bakhoor journey!
D
