Character
The Story of Teakwood
Teakwood brings a rare combination of warmth, earthiness, and subtle sweetness to fragrance. Derived from the heartwood of Tectona grandis, this note evokes polished furniture, sun-warmed decks, and the quiet confidence of old-growth forests.
Heritage
Tectona grandis has shaped human civilization across Southeast Asia for centuries. Native to India, Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos, teak built the ships of colonial navies, the temples of ancient kingdoms, and the enduring furniture of aristocratic homes throughout Asia. The wood's legendary durability earned it the nickname 'ironwood' among sailors and craftsmen. Its distinctive scent, released naturally when the wood is worked or warmed, became synonymous with quality and permanence. Portuguese traders first brought teak to European attention in the 16th century, though the wood had already been valued for millennia across its native range. Today, Brazil maintains over 90,000 square kilometers of planted teak forests, second only to Southeast Asian sources, ensuring this storied material continues its journey from forest to fragrance.
At a Glance
13
Feature this note
Myanmar
Primary source region
Ingredient Details
Steam distillation and solvent extraction
Dried heartwood from mature trees
Did You Know
"Teak's natural resistance to decay comes from quinones in its heartwood, compounds that also shape its distinctive warm, slightly sweet aroma in fragrance."
Pyramid Presence