Kewra

Kewra is frequently confused with pandan, the leaf used to flavour rice and sweets in Southeast Asia. Pandan is Pandanus amaryllifolius. Kewra comes from the flowers of a different species, Pandanus odoratissimus, and its aroma rests on a different molecule entirely.

01 · Origin

A tropical screw pine of the Pandanaceae, with long spiral leaves and stilt roots, found along coasts and wetlands of India. The fragrant part is the male inflorescence, wrapped in cream-coloured bracts. This oil is distilled in India from wild-collected blossoms.

02 · Chemistry

Methyl phenethyl ether, also called phenylethyl methyl ether, is the defining constituent and gives the honeyed, slightly green floral tone. Terpinen-4-ol follows. In India the flowers are also distilled into kewra water and into attars, where the distillate is captured in a base oil such as sandalwood.

03 · In Practice

Sweet, honeyed and floral, with a green, fruity edge that some compare to jasmine and rose. A middle note. Natural perfumery, attar work, diffusion and skincare formulation at low concentration. Blends with sandalwood, rose, jasmine, vetiver, saffron and cardamom.

General information: For external use only. Dilute before applying to skin. Keep away from heat and sunlight. Keep out of reach of children. Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes.