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What Is Oud Perfume? The Complete Guide to Arabian Oud
What Is Oud?
Oud (also written as “ud” or “aoud”) is a resinous heartwood formed inside Aquilaria trees when they become infected with a specific type of mould. As a defence mechanism, the tree produces a rich, dark resin that saturates the wood over decades — transforming ordinary timber into one of the most fragrant substances on earth.
This resin-soaked wood is known as agarwood, and the aromatic oil extracted from it is oud. Only around 2% of wild Aquilaria trees naturally develop this infection, which is why genuine oud is so rare and expensive. Wild oud from countries like Cambodia, India, and Laos can cost $30,000–$100,000 per kilogram.
The History of Oud in Arabian Culture
Oud has been used in the Arabian Peninsula for over 3,000 years. It features in Islamic hadith as one of the scents of Paradise and has been burned as bakhoor (incense) during weddings, religious gatherings, and celebrations across the Middle East for millennia. In Oman, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, oud is woven into the cultural fabric of daily life.
Types of Oud
Arabic Oud — Deep, rich, smoky, leathery, and animalic. Often the most intense and long-lasting.
Indian Oud (Hindi) — Earthy, barnyard-like, very potent. Beloved by oud connoisseurs and traditional perfumers.
Cambodian Oud — Sweeter, more floral, with soft woody undertones. Often preferred by those new to oud.
Thai/Malay Oud — Light, fresh, and green. Ideal for warmer climates.
Oud Attar vs. Oud Perfume: What’s the Difference?
Oud Attar is a pure, oil-based fragrance with no alcohol. Distilled directly from agarwood, attars are long-lasting, deeply concentrated, and worn in small amounts directly on the skin. They’re the traditional form of Arabian fragrance and are alcohol-free, making them suitable for all.
Oud Eau de Parfum blends oud oil with a carrier (typically alcohol) and other complementary fragrance notes. This creates a more diffuse, projecting scent that works well in Western-style applications.
Why Is Oud So Expensive?
The rarity of naturally infected agarwood, combined with the painstaking extraction process (hydro-distillation over many hours), makes genuine oud extraordinarily expensive. Oud World makes this world-class fragrance accessible through carefully crafted oud perfumes that capture the essence of oud at genuinely affordable prices.
How to Wear Oud Perfume
- Apply to pulse points — wrists, neck, behind the ears, and inside elbows
- Don’t rub your wrists together — this breaks down the top notes
- Layer with an unscented moisturiser first for longer-lasting projection
- Less is more — oud is potent; 2–3 sprays are typically sufficient
Visit Us in Muscat
Experiencing oud in person is the best way to find your perfect scent. Our fragrance specialists at all five Oud World Muscat branches are passionate about helping you discover the oud that speaks to you.