This frankincense is among the best in the world. It is produced from the resins of a subspecies of the Frankincense (Boswellia sacra) tree that grows only in the Dhofar region of Oman, a country located on the southern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. As different regions simply produce higher grade of wine than others (such as the Champagne region of France), Omani Hojari (also spelled hougari) frankincense has been regarded since ancient times as being of the highest quality. It is distinguished from other varieties of frankincense by its pure, refreshing smell that is reminiscent of limes with very slight hints of evergreen.

Omani Frankincense, while being considered of higher quality than what is grown in Somalia or Ethiopia, has nevertheless become even harder to come by than in the past. Because the oil industry is now so central to the economies of Arabia, fewer people are interested in harvesting the frankincense that grows wild in the deserts of Oman, and today only three tribes in the Dhofar region continue the tradition. It is not exported in large quantities from Oman, and it is only through connections in the Middle East which connect us directly with the harvesters that we are able to offer this high quality frankincense. We are aware of only a very few other businesses in the US which carry it.

If you've been disappointed in the past with frankincense, give Omani Hojari Frankincense a try! It's of a different subspecies than what is generally available in the US from places like Somalia or Ethiopia, and has a very distinct smell of its own.

We find the use of incense as far back as the Old Testament, such as Psalm 141:2, “Let my prayer be set forth before you as incense; and the lifting up of my hands be as an evening sacrifice.” In Malachi 1:11, it says, “…and in every place incense is going to be offered to my name.” Much of the worship of the early Church came from the Hebrew rites and traditions established before Christ, including the reading of Psalms (which are in every service of the Orthodox Church), incense, chanting, and much more. Incense is made from aromatic plant matter, (the good smelling plant parts) and a binding agent to hold it together, either oil or resin.