Kewra
Kewra, keora or kewda is an essential oil distilled from the male flower of the fragrant screwpine. The plant is native to tropical South Asia, Southeast Asia and Australasia, and the oil is used as a flavoring agent throughout much of these regions.
Approximately 95% of total kewra flower exported from India is collected from areas surrounding Berhampur city in Ganjam district. The coastal areas of Chhatrapur, Rangeilunda, Patrapur and Chikiti are famous for their aromatic pandanus plantations. Arguably, flowers from coastal locales have an exquisite floral note that rival inland varieties with the most famous varieties being those endemic and cultivated in Gopalpur-on-Sea. Cultivation of kewra flower is a major source of income in Ganjam district and there are nearly 200 registered kewra distillation factories.
Kewra is also used in traditional Indian perfumery, both as functional fragrance and in Ittar.The main aroma compound in Kewra is benzene, with terpinen-4-ol, α-terpineol, and p-cymene contributing to the typical flavor.
