Description:

Kewra, also known as keora or kewda, is an essential oil distilled from the male flower of the fragrant screwpine (Pandanus odorifer), native to Tropical Asia, Southeast Asia, and Australasia. This aromatic oil is widely used as a flavoring agent, particularly in South Asian cuisine for special-occasion dishes, especially within Muslim communities. The sweet, perfumed odor of kewra is similar to rose but with a more fruity note, while kewra water (the aqueous distillate) is a more diluted form. Kewra flowers also play a key role in the worship of the Hindu goddess Manasa. Most of India kewra flowers are harvested from the Ganjam district, particularly around Berhampur and coastal areas like Gopalpur-on-Sea, known for their high-quality aromatic flowers. The flowers are a vital part of the regions economy, with nearly 200 registered distillation factories. Kewra is also a prized ingredient in traditional Indian perfumery, where its used both as a fragrance and in attar. The essential oils composition mainly consists of 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%).