Agarwood, often hailed as the "diamond of plants," embodies the essence of heaven and earth, the essence of the sun and moon, and the accumulation of time. The value of top-quality agarwood can surpass that of gold, earning its reputation as "sinking" the world and perfuming the senses. For centuries, it has been cherished by people worldwide.
Agarwood is not only a highly prized aromatic material but also a precious medicinal herb. Formed through a fascinating process of natural trauma caused by animal bites, external forces, human-induced cutting, or the impact of natural elements like lightning, wind damage, and insect infestation, agarwood's resin is a unique secretion. The primary distribution areas for agarwood include Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and various regions in China such as Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, Fujian, Yunnan, and Hong Kong.
Historically, agarwood entered Chinese life initially as a medicinal ingredient, noted in records for its ability to "regulate vital energy and balance the five organs." By the Tang and Song dynasties, it had permeated various aspects of people's lives. Before engaging in activities like poetry, painting, or playing the zither, ancient literati would burn agarwood, purifying the air in their living spaces, calming the mind, and inducing a joyful mood.
Since the Song Dynasty, a unique aromatic activity known as "Xiang Xi" (香席), translated as "Incense Appreciation Session," gained popularity among Chinese literati. The traditional "Xiang Xi" involved using a special set of tools, including an incense burner, incense chopsticks, and an incense box. The process included meticulously arranging incense ash, creating a hollow space for charcoal, and burning specially prepared incense on a bed of ash. As the incense burned, a rich and varied fragrance would unfold, offering a sensory journey through different aromatic layers.
In the evolving culture of incense appreciation, specialized tools emerged, such as incense tubes and incense boats for stick incense, as well as incense burners and incense seals for powdered incense. The use of incense seals involved pressing specially prepared aromatic powders into fixed shapes or patterns, igniting them, and experiencing the sequential release of different scents.
Agarwood is categorized into different types based on its source and maturity. Geographically, it is divided into Hainan Agarwood and Singapore Agarwood. Hainan Agarwood includes agarwood from Vietnam, China's Hainan Province, Cambodia, Laos, and other regions. Singapore Agarwood primarily comprises agarwood from southern Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei.
In terms of maturity, agarwood is classified as "living resin" when it is harvested from a living tree, and as "dead resin" when taken from a dead tree. Dead resin agarwood is further divided into "dead agarwood" and "Qi Nan," with the latter being a unique transformation of the resin during the natural aging process.
The highest quality agarwood is depends on if the wood is actually sink in water. Agarwood is further divided into wild natural agarwood and cultivated agarwood. Wild natural agarwood is formed in the wild, while cultivated agarwood is produced through intentional plantation and artificial inducement. Unfortunately due to the over use, most of the agarwood right now is produced through intentional plantation.
Agarwood, with its rich history and multifaceted characteristics, stands as a symbol of luxury, spirituality, and cultural appreciation. As the "diamond of plants," its allure continues to captivate enthusiasts worldwide, making it a timeless treasure deeply embedded in the fabric of human tradition and aromatic sophistication.