The Art of Deg & Bhapka
Explore how Mahekh keeps the traditional 400-year-old hydro-distillation craftsmanship alive in copper pots over wood fires, preserving pure essential attar oils.
The Dawn Flower Harvest
Every morning at dawn, local farmers in the fertile fields of Kannauj hand-pick fresh white Mogra (Jasmine) and rose buds covered with fresh dew. Gathering the blossoms at first light ensures that their delicate scent oils are locked in and have not evaporated under the heat of the sun.
Charging the Copper Degs
The freshly harvested flowers are immediately transferred into traditional copper pots called "Degs". The pots are filled with pure water, closed with heavy lids, and tightly sealed with a mixture of clay and cotton. This creates an airtight seal that preserves the pressure and organic vapor.
Bhapka Condensation
The Degs are heated over open ovens fueled by wood or coal. As the water boils, fragrant steam travels through a curved bamboo pipe ("Chonga") into a copper receiver pot called a "Bhapka". The Bhapka, filled with a base of pure Sandalwood oil, is kept submerged in a cold water pool, condensing the fragrant vapors directly into the sandalwood base.
Separation & Kuppi Aging
Once distillation is complete, the mixture of oil and water in the Bhapka is carefully separated. The raw attar oil is transferred into traditional camel-skin leather bottles called "Kuppis". These leather bottles allow natural moisture to evaporate while retaining the rich fragrance molecules, aging and enriching the attar over months.