Oud is one of the most sought-after, complex, and even deliciously fragrant ingredients in the world. It stands out from other options because its unique scent lasts a long time. Plus, the history of oud is fascinating! Read this blog post about "What is oud perfume?" to learn more about its background, popularity, scent, and more.
What Is Oud Perfume?
Oud is a strong-smelling oil made from tree resin. It is often used as a base note in perfumes because of its unique depth and rich aroma, which gives the scent a sensual, woody drydown. Oud perfumes are often used to attract attention because of their raw scent and appealing personality.
Part of agarwood's appeal comes from its ancient past. People in Southeast Asia and the Middle East have used it for centuries in spiritual ceremonies, herbal medicine, and perfumery. It was first mentioned in the Sanskrit Vedas around 1400 BCE as a substance that signifies wealth and luxury.
Many other religious texts and traditions also mention agarwood oil. For example, the Old Testament of the Bible mentions agarwood, which is used to make agarwood oil and Muslim prophets are said to have used its smoke to clean their clothes.
In addition to its religious uses, agarwood is highly valued for its healing properties. It is often used in herbal teas and meditation rituals because it reduces inflammation and calms the mind.
How are Oud Perfumes Produced?
The word "oud" in Arabic means "wood," and its origins are related to how wood is made. Oud is a pure natural resin obtained from the root wood of the Aquilaria tree. It is native to Southeast Asia and is found in the forests of Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Thailand. It is one of fifteen species of Aquilaria trees that are used to make aromatic resins, usually extracted from the wood of Aquilaria malaccensis.
So, how is oud made? When the tree is infected, it produces a dark, foul-smelling resin that seeps into the wood. The heartwood of the tree is usually a light, pale colour. When it comes into contact with resin, it takes on a dark ochre or amber colour. Then, artisan perfumers use various techniques to extract the oil from the heartwood, such as steam distillation or melting. Many natural resins, such as labdanum from the Cistus ladanifer plant or benzoin from the Styrax tree, are thick, sticky, and dark. Oud resin is much like this, and after being removed, this oil is used to create beautiful oud perfumes.
How does Oud Perfume smell?
Oud has a unique scent profile that makes it mysterious and alluring. This scent is typically described as warm, intense, earthy, sensual, and has a hint of animalism. Many perfumers compare oud to the smell of fresh, slightly damp earth, barns, or sun-dried hay because it comes from nature.
If oud is taken from a natural tree, its scent can vary depending on which species of the Aquilaria tree it is from. Some resins smell sweet, while others are smoky and more aromatic, and their scent changes as they dry. Another difference is that synthetic ouds don't smell as animalistic as the real tree. Instead, they tend to be a little sweeter and nuttier.
The profile of an oud will also change depending on which top and heart notes it is paired with. For example, in Royal Oud, the signature woody spice elements are blended with the fresh citrus twist of bergamot.
What Makes Oud Expensive?
Agarwood, which costs £80,000 per kilogram, is one of the most expensive woods in the world and one of the most expensive ingredients in modern perfumery. The main reason for this is that it is very difficult to find. One in ten trees in the forests of Southeast Asia naturally produce the resin. For this reason, it is a highly valuable substance that is in great demand in the perfume industry.
Another reason why the oud is so expensive is its production method. The resin-filled pieces of wood have to be carved by hand, which can take several hours to make.
Because it is so rare, the aquaria tree is now protected by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). Many trees are now treated with a bactericidal compound to produce agarwood resin, which is why synthetic agarwood is often used instead.
How long does Oud perfume last?
Oud is a strong scent and can linger on your skin for hours, even all day. Since it is used as a fixative in perfumes, it is one of the ingredients that will likely linger on your skin the longest. Even after the top and middle notes of the fragrance have worn off, you will likely still smell something earthy and animalic.
Stronger fragrances like agarwood or ambergris sometimes last longer than lighter fragrances. This is because perfumes with heavier, richer scents tend to fade less than lighter fragrances. The scent of agarwood typically lasts between three and five years. However, this can vary depending on how the scent was created and how you store it. Learn how to keep your perfume safe here.
What is the difference between perfume and oud perfume?
The main difference is that oud perfumes contain oud, while other perfumes don't. Because oud has a strong, long-lasting smell, it is only used in small amounts to give scents more depth and variety. The concentration in oud is usually much higher than in perfume.
How to tell if oud is real?
The scent of pure agarwood oil is long-lasting, so you should smell the agarwood before purchasing. If you use impure agarwood oil, the scent is less pleasant and does not last as long.
How to spot a fake perfume?
A fake perfume may smell good for the first few minutes because the scents above are often nice, but later you may notice the difference. Its quality will be lower or completely different from what you expected. No matter how long you use it, a fake perfume will not smell good when it develops.