Attar, also known as ittar, is a traditional perfume oil derived from natural sources such as flowers, herbs, spices, or woods. Here’s a basic guide on how to make attar:
- Choose Your Ingredients:
- Select fragrant flowers, herbs, spices, or woods. Common ingredients include rose petals, jasmine flowers, sandalwood, agarwood (oud), saffron, musk, and various spices like cardamom and cloves.
- Preparation of Base Oil:
- Choose a carrier oil as a base. Good options include jojoba oil, almond oil, or fractionated coconut oil. These oils have little to no scent of their own and can carry the fragrance of the main ingredients effectively.
- Heat the carrier oil gently in a double boiler. Avoid overheating, as it can degrade the quality of the oil.
- Infusion of Fragrance:
- Add your chosen fragrant ingredients to the heated carrier oil.
- Allow the mixture to simmer on low heat for several hours. This process helps to infuse the fragrance of the ingredients into the carrier oil.
- Stir occasionally and monitor the temperature to prevent burning.
- Cooling and Straining:
- Once the oil has absorbed the fragrance, remove it from heat and let it cool to room temperature.
- Strain the oil through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove any solid particles or plant matter. This ensures a smooth, clear attar.
- Storage:
- Transfer the strained attar into dark glass bottles or vials to protect it from light.
- Seal the bottles tightly to prevent evaporation and preserve the fragrance.
- Store the attar in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and heat. Proper storage helps maintain its potency and aroma.
