What is Bakhour? Complete guide: varieties, uses, and selection

2 days ago

Written by Real and Roots Real and Roots

What is Bakhour? Complete guide: varieties, uses, and selection

2 days ago

Written by Real and Roots Real and Roots

Bakhour, sometimes spelled bakhoor, is a traditional incense originating from the Arabian Peninsula. The word comes from the Arabic "بخور," which literally means "fragrant smoke." Unlike incense sticks or raw resin, bakhour is a handcrafted blend: wood chips are soaked in fragrant oils, natural resins, and sometimes musk, amber, or oud, then slowly dried. The result is a compact product, often presented in the form of small blocks or pellets, which releases a rich and lasting fragrance when heated.

In homes in the Gulf region—Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait—bakhour is part of everyday life. It is burned to perfume the house before guests arrive, to imbue clothing with an enveloping scent, or to accompany Friday prayers. In some families, even hair and carpets are perfumed with bakhour smoke. This ritual of hospitality is so deeply rooted that refusing bakhour offered by a host would be considered an affront.

The history of bakhour

The history of bakhour is intertwined with that of the Incense Route. As early as the third millennium BCE, caravans transported precious resins—frankincense, myrrh, styrax—from Oman's Dhofar region and the Horn of Africa to Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Mediterranean. Over the centuries, Gulf artisans developed the art of blending these resins with aromatic woods and rare oils to create more complex compositions. Bakhour as we know it today is the direct descendant of this ancient tradition.

The word "bakhour" appeared in medieval Arabic literature to refer to these fragrant preparations. Perfume treatises from the Abbasid period already describe recipes combining oud, ambergris, musk, and resins, reminiscent of the compositions still found today in the souks of Oman and Dubai.

The major families of bakhour

There is a huge variety of bakhours. Each region and each artisan has their own recipes. However, we can distinguish a few main categories:

Bakhour with oud (agarwood). The most prestigious. Agarwood, derived from Aquilaria, gives off a dense, woody, and animalistic smoke when burned. Oud bakhours are often the most expensive and sought-after. Their fragrance is deep and enveloping, with notes of leather and undergrowth. They are preferred for special occasions and receptions.

Bakhour with musk and amber. Sweeter and more delicate than oud bakhours. White musk brings a powdery freshness, while ambergris adds a warm, vanilla-like richness. These bakhours are suitable for everyday use and are often favored by women in the Gulf countries. They leave a subtle, comforting scent in their wake.

Frankincense bakhour (incense). The oldest and most traditional. Olibanum resin, burned pure or mixed with sandalwood chips, produces a light, lemony, resinous smoke. It is the bakhour of prayer, meditation, and purification. Its fragrance is more transparent and airier than that of oud.

Floral and fruity bakhoor. Modern creations incorporate notes of rose, jasmine, citrus, or dried fruits (fig, date). They appeal to a wider audience, including those new to perfumes, thanks to their accessible scent. This family includes, for example, Bakhour Éclats de Citrus by Real and Roots, with its notes of lemon, orange, fig, and date.

How to use bakhour: a step-by-step guide

1. Equipment. You will need a censer (mabkhara) or a heat-resistant container, incense charcoal, and metal tongs. Place a layer of sand or ash at the bottom of the censer to insulate the heat. Some modern electric censers heat the bakhour without charcoal, using a heating element or ceramic plate, avoiding the smoke from the charcoal itself.

2. Light the charcoal. Hold the charcoal with tongs and bring it close to the flame of a lighter or match. The charcoal will crackle and sparks will fly. Wait until it turns white around the edges (2 to 3 minutes). Never place it down before it is completely incandescent, otherwise the bakhour will not burn properly.

3. Place the bakhour. Place one or two pieces of bakhour on the charcoal. The smoke will rise immediately, thick and fragrant. There is no need to add more: bakhour is concentrated. A single piece can fragrance an entire room for 30 to 45 minutes.

4. Fragrance the space. Move the incense burner from room to room if you wish, placing it on a stable, non-flammable surface. Some people pass the smoke under their hanging clothes to infuse them with the fragrance. In Omani tradition, the mabkhara is passed from hand to hand among guests after a meal.

5. Safety. Never leave the room with a lit charcoal unattended. Keep out of reach of children and animals. Ensure proper ventilation.

How to choose the right bakhour

Given the variety of options available, there are a few criteria that can help you make your choice:

Composition. Choose bakhours made from natural ingredients: real wood, pure resins, essential oils. Be wary of very cheap bakhours that use synthetic fragrances and ordinary wood chips soaked in chemical solvents. A natural bakhour gives off a fine, pleasant smoke; a synthetic bakhour often produces a heavy, overpowering smoke.

Olfactory intensity. If you are new to bakhour, start with mild varieties (white musk, amber, floral) rather than pure oud, which can be surprisingly powerful. Olibanum bakhour is an excellent place to start: its smoke is light and universally appreciated.

Intended use. For everyday use, choose a light bakhour (musk, floral). When entertaining guests, a bakhour with oud or amber will make a greater impression. For meditation or prayer, pure frankincense bakhour remains the gold standard.

Origin. Handcrafted bakhours from Oman and the United Arab Emirates are generally of superior quality. Artisans mix the ingredients by hand, allow for long maceration times, and use select raw materials. At Real and Roots, our bakhours are handcrafted in Oman.

Bakhour and incense: what's the difference?

Confusion is common. Theincense strictly speaking refers to a natural resin burned on its own (olibanum, myrrh, benzoin). bakhour is a composite product: wood chips impregnated with a mixture of resins, oils, and perfumes. An incense stick, on the other hand, is a paste of herbs and resins molded around a bamboo stick, a very different format, originating in India and China.

In summary: incense is a raw material. Bakhour is a handcrafted creation in its own right.

Bakhour in Muslim culture

In Muslim tradition, perfume occupies a special place. Bakhour accompanies Fridays, Eid celebrations, the month of Ramadan, and prayer vigils. It does not have a strictly liturgical dimension, unlike incense in the Catholic Mass, but it is part of a cultural tradition strongly linked to religious practice. Perfuming one's home, clothes, and oneself is considered a gesture of cleanliness and respect for others.