Kewra Flower Distillation Odisha

Kewra (Pandanus odoratissimus, screwpine) is a fragrant coastal plant grown in Odisha's Puri, Ganjam, and Khurda districts, where the scented male flower heads are harvested and hydro-distilled to produce kewra jal (water) and kewra attar (concentrated essential oil). Odisha produces over 90% of India's kewra extract. Flower heads are harvested at pre-dawn when fragrance is most intense, then steam- or water-distilled in copper and iron stills. The cooled distillate separates into kewra water (used to flavour biryani, paan, and sweets) and concentrated attar (used in Indian perfumery as a base note). Ganjam district's kewra plantations co-exist with cashew, coconut, and casuarina groves along the coast. Export to the Gulf perfume industry and domestic use by mithai makers sustain the crop.