Understanding Oud: The King of Ingredients

Oud, also known as agarwood, is perhaps the most revered ingredient in the world of perfumery. Formed when the Aquilaria tree is infected by a specific mould, the tree produces a dark, aromatic resin as a defence mechanism. This resin-soaked heartwood is what we know as oud — and it can take decades to form.

The finest oud comes from the ancient forests of Assam, India, where Aquilaria trees have been cultivated for centuries. The ageing process is crucial: like fine wine, oud improves with time.

In Arabian perfumery, oud has been the cornerstone ingredient for over a thousand years. It was burned as incense in palaces and mosques, gifted between royalty, and considered more valuable than gold by weight.

At Aurae Cosmos, we source our oud exclusively from sustainable plantations in Assam. Our master perfumers work with aged oud oils that have been steam-distilled using traditional methods.