Sandali Mitti Attar is a traditional Indian perfume that captures the nostalgic and earthy aroma of rain-soaked soil, also known as petrichor. This unique fragrance combines the essence of baked clay with the warm, woody scent of sandalwood oil, creating a calming and grounding aroma. It is deeply rooted in Indian culture and perfumery, particularly in the town of Kannauj, known as the "perfume capital of India"

Traditional Method of Making Sandali Mitti Attar

The process of making Sandali Mitti Attar is intricate and follows centuries-old traditions:
Hydro-Distillation:

• The baked clay is crushed into fine pieces and placed in a large copper cauldron (deg).

• The deg is sealed with a mixture of clay and cotton to make it airtight, preserving the delicate aroma during distillation.

• The setup includes a bamboo pipe connecting the cauldron to a smaller container (bhapka) filled with sandalwood oil, which acts as the base for the attar

Distillation Process

• The cauldron is heated using firewood or coal, causing steam to extract the aromatic compounds from the clay.

• The steam travels through the bamboo pipe into the sandalwood oil, where it condenses and infuses its fragrance.

• This process is repeated for several days to achieve a rich and concentrated aroma.

Aging

The infused sandalwood oil is stored in camel-skin flasks or glass containers to age. Over time, this enhances the depth and complexity of the fragrance.

Fragrance Profile

Sandali Mitti Attar has a fresh yet earthy scent that evokes memories of rain hitting dry soil. It combines:

• Top Notes: Fresh and clean petrichor.

• Middle Notes: Rich, earthy tones.

• Base Notes: Warm, woody sandalwood essence.