In Oman, a burner of frankincense is passed from guest to guest. Each person draws the aroma towards them, and the room fills with a light, bright scent. It is one of the oldest ways to welcome someone into a home.
This page covers what frankincense is, where it grows, how it is graded and how to burn it.
What Frankincense Is
Frankincense is the resin of the Boswellia tree. When the bark is cut, the tree gives a milky sap. The sap dries in the air into small pieces called tears. Warmed on charcoal, the tears give their aroma to a room within minutes.
People have burned frankincense for thousands of years. Many burn it to welcome guests, to begin a day or to close an evening.
Where It Grows
Boswellia trees grow in dry, rocky land. Many grow straight out of stone on a hillside.
- Dhofar, in southern Oman. Hojari frankincense comes from the Boswellia sacra tree in the Dhofar mountains. Its valleys and old ports are a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Land of Frankincense. Caravans once carried frankincense from Dhofar to the Mediterranean.
- Yemen. The same tree, Boswellia sacra, grows across the border in Yemen.
- Northern Somalia. Maydi Mushaad comes from a different tree, Boswellia frereana. In Somali homes it is burned in a dabqaad, a burner of soft white stone, when guests are expected. It is called the king of frankincense.
How Hojari Is Graded
Hojari frankincense is sorted into four grades by colour only.
- Royal: the palest tears, with a green hue. On charcoal it is very light and citrus.
- Superior: whitish tears, slightly yellow.
- Amber: amber tears.
- Dark: very dark tears.
Pale tears turn yellow and white with time. This is natural.
Each grade has its own custom. In Oman, Royal is burned before guests arrive and on an important day. Superior is used to scent the home and clothes: the clothes are laid over a frame above the burner. Darker grades are often burned in the evening and at the end of the day.
How to Burn It
Frankincense is burned on a charcoal disc in a burner made for heat. How you burn it depends on the resin.
Hojari: a hard resin
Hojari holds its shape on heat. It does not melt.
- Light a charcoal disc in the burner, on a heatproof surface.
- Wait five to seven minutes, until it settles and turns grey.
- Cover it with a layer of fine salt, never sand. This is our own method: the salt keeps the heat gentle, so the aroma stays light.
- Place two or three pieces on the salt. You can lift them off with tongs at any time.
- Remove the dark crust left behind, or it burns.
Maydi Mushaad: a soft resin
Maydi Mushaad melts as it warms.
- Light the charcoal and let it cool for about five minutes. No salt is needed.
- Place one small piece straight on the charcoal. A large piece makes the aroma heavy and sharp.
Burn in a ventilated room, and never leave charcoal unattended. For each step in detail, read How to Burn Resin on Charcoal: A Plain Guide.
No charcoal at home? Frankincense incense sticks and the Lokta rope bundle need only a flame and a holder.
Frankincense at Maison Éthérique
- Superior Hojari Frankincense · Oman · 50 g
- Hojari Frankincense · Oman · 25 g
- Wild Hojari Frankincense · Oman · 25 g
- Frankincense · Yemen · 25 g
- Maydi Mushaad Frankincense · Somalia · 25 g
You will also need charcoal tablets and a burner. Each resin’s page offers the ones that go with it.
Royal Hojari is at the House. At Warehouse 23, Alserkal Avenue, you can smell the grades side by side before you choose. We are open daily, 9 am to 9 pm.
