Kewra

Lore & Background

Kewra is distilled from the male flower of the fragrant screwpine, a plant native to Tropical Asia, Southeast Asia, and Australasia. The flower is a vital ingredient in kewra and is used in special-occasion dishes in South Asia, particularly those associated with Muslim communities. The flowers and leaves are also essential in certain communities' worship of the Hindu goddess Manasa.

Reader's Guide

Approximately 95% of kewra flowers exported from India are collected from areas surrounding Brahmapur city in Ganjam district, Odisha. The coastal areas of Chhatrapur, Rangeilunda, Patrapur, and Chikiti are famous for their aromatic pandanus plantations, with the most famous varieties endemic to and cultivated in Gopalpur-on-Sea. Cultivation of the kewra flower is a major source of income in Ganjam district, and there are nearly 200 registered kewra distillation factories. Kewra is also used in traditional Indian perfumery, both as a functional fragrance and in attar. The chemical composition of the essential oil includes major components such as 2-phenethyl methyl ether (65.6–75.4%), Terpinen-4-ol (11.7–19.5%), p-Cymene (1.0–3.1%), and Alpha Terpineol (1.2–2.9%).

Did You Know?

• Approximately 95% of kewra flowers exported from India come from areas around Brahmapur city in Ganjam district.
• The major chemical component of kewra oil is 2-phenethyl methyl ether, comprising 65.6–75.4% of the oil.
• Kewra flowers and leaves are used in worship of the Hindu goddess Manasa.