What Is Bakhoor?
Bakhoor is Arabic for “incense,” and the word covers a specific, centuries-old way of scenting a space with fragrant smoke.
Bakhoor is wood chips — traditionally agarwood, though many modern bakhoor products use a base wood soaked in fragrance oils — that are burned over charcoal or heat to release rich, fragrant smoke. It’s used to perfume homes before guests arrive, to scent clothing and hair, and to mark celebrations and religious occasions.
Where bakhoor comes from
The practice of burning fragrant wood is ancient across Arabia and South Asia, closely tied to the same agarwood (oud) trade that shaped Arabian perfumery more broadly. Bakhoor remains one of the most visible, everyday expressions of that tradition — you’ll encounter it in homes, mosques and majlis gatherings across the region.
What bakhoor is made from
- Pure agarwood chips — the premium, oud-based form.
- Compressed bakhoor — wood particles or a base material soaked in fragrance oil and pressed into blocks or tablets, a more affordable everyday option.
- Scented variations — floral, sweet or musky bakhoor blends alongside traditional woody-oud styles.
Frequently asked questions
Does bakhoor always contain real oud?
No — many bakhoor products use a base wood infused with fragrance oil rather than pure agarwood, which keeps them accessible while still delivering a rich, authentic-style scent.
Explore our Bakhoor (Incense) collection.
