India · Perfumery / Aromatic Distillation
इत्र / ittar; deg-bhapka (copper still and receiver)
Hydro-distillation of flowers, herbs, woods or baked earth in a copper still (deg) whose vapour travels through a bamboo pipe (chonga) into a copper receiver (bhapka) already charged with a base oil, traditionally sandalwood. The aroma dissolves into the oil rather than being separated as an essential oil, and the receiver is recharged with fresh botanicals over days until the attar reaches the intended strength. Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh, is the historic center; its attar carries a Geographical Indication. Mitti attar captures the smell of rain-soaked earth by distilling half-baked clay.
Risk level: Vulnerable · Not inscribed; Kannauj perfume holds a Geographical Indication (2014)
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