Agarwood
Agarwood, or oud, is wood soaked in fragrant resin a wounded tree makes to protect itself.
How a tree becomes agarwood
The tree gets hurt
Lightning, insects or mold wound an Aquilaria tree. Healthy wood is pale and has almost no scent.
Resin builds for years
Dark resin floods the wound. Old, dense pieces can sink in water, hence the Chinese name, sinking incense.
Warm it, don't burn it
A burning chip wastes the scent. Connoisseurs warm it on mica over buried charcoal, or use an electric warmer on low.
The wound is what makes the fragrance.
How to spot the real thing
All Aquilaria and Gyrinops are CITES-listed, farmed or wild, and wild trees are threatened. Prefer farmed wood, and check permit rules before shipping wood, chips or oil across borders. Air the room and handle charcoal carefully.
Agarwood
Hand-picked pieces are on the way.
Good to know
Is agarwood the same as oud?
Yes. Oud is the Arabic name, and in perfume it usually means oil distilled from agarwood. Chinese tradition more often warms the wood itself. Many oud perfumes use a synthetic accord instead.
Why does agarwood cost so much?
Only wounded trees make the resin, and it takes years. Wild trees have been heavily cut, and top grades such as qinan are rare. Farmed trees are wounded on purpose, which gives milder, cheaper wood.
How do you use agarwood at home?
The easiest way is a stick of agarwood incense. For chips, use an electric warmer on low, or charcoal buried in ash. Keep the heat gentle, because scorched wood turns sharp.
