Agarwood classification
“ Agarwood ” is a common name for a special aromatic essential oil formed from the trunk of the Aquilaria tree when damaged. However, in reality, agarwood does not have just one name. When researching or buying agarwood, you will easily come across a series of different names that are not really clear, which sometimes makes newcomers feel confused, not knowing what kind of agarwood they are approaching. These names are mostly given by users, sellers, or miners (autumn collectors) to distinguish types of agarwood according to shape, scent, or mining area. Therefore, the names may vary between localities, and there is no unified classification system. Currently, Vietnamese law does not have any widely recognized standards for classifying agarwood. Therefore, the names you see are for reference only and used in transactions. This article will summarize some basic knowledge about how to classify agarwood , based on two main factors: quality and origin . Hopefully, it will help you have a clearer and easier to understand view when entering the mysterious and fascinating world of agarwood. A. Quality Classified by quality, there are ky nam and tram. ❇ Agarwood Ky nam is a treasure likened to “the diamond of the green forest”, it cannot be planted or produced industrially. Therefore, the price of Ky nam is always “unimaginable”, it can be 20-30 times higher than Agarwood. Rare Ky nam blocks can be priced up to 30-50 billion VND/kg. Owning agarwood is owning a part of the spiritual energy of the mountains and forests, a testament to luxury, sophistication and class. Also originating from the Aquilaria tree like agarwood , but Ky Nam is the result of a much more miraculous and rare transformation process. A tree with Ky Nam will definitely have agarwood around it. Ky Nam is formed from the “core” of the agarwood mass, where the most concentrated and deepest essential oil gathers. When a tree is injured, infected or mutated, it begins to produce essential oils to heal itself, the wood around the wound gradually turns into agarwood. Over the centuries, under extremely special conditions of humidity, climate, and soil, this amount of essential oils accumulates more and more densely and “eats deep” into each wood fiber. When the wood essence is no longer there, only the thick, flexible, soft and fragrant oil remains. At that time, agarwood has turned into agarwood. While agarwood takes 10 to 50 years to form, ky nam takes hundreds, even thousands of years. There are documents recording that it takes up to 3000 years to create Bach Ky, the most precious type. Because of this long accumulation, ky nam is no longer wood, it becomes a material rich in energy and fragrance. Agarwood appears naturally in some areas with harsh, dry and hot climates and rugged terrain, often concentrated in the Truong Son range, especially in the Central and Central Highlands regions, where all the elements converge to create this precious agarwood. Famous places that have recorded the appearance of agarwood include: Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, Quang Nam, Kon Tum... Ky nam is not only rare, but also very difficult to distinguish from normal agarwood just by looking at the surface. However, ky nam has characteristics that agarwood cannot have: - The amount of essential oil is so high that the wood sinks immediately into the water, because essential oil is heavier than water. - When not burned, it has a strong, fragrant smell even in a closed space, unlike the light scent of incense. - When burned, it gives off blue smoke that flies straight and takes a long time to dissipate, completely different from regular agarwood which gives off white smoke and quickly dissipates. - Special flavor: sweet, fatty like milk, sometimes rich, creamy like cream, a flavor that agarwood cannot have. Only agarwood in Khanh Hoa sometimes has a slightly sweet taste like ky. ❇ Agarwood Although not as rare as Ky Nam, natural Agarwood is still highly valued by collectors, because the formation and exploitation process is extremely difficult. Also born from wounds on the Aquilaria tree, agarwood is the result of a process of accumulating essential oils that lasts for decades. When the tree trunk is damaged, it secretes essential oils to heal itself. Gradually, the wood around the wound absorbs oil, changes color, changes smell, and then turns into agarwood. The longer the time, the older the agarwood, the stronger the essential oils, the deeper the smell, and the value increases accordingly. The economic value of agarwood is very diverse, ranging from tens of millions to billions of VND per kilogram, depending on its rarity, age, oil content and fragrance. Old agarwood, rich in oil, and able to sink in water, is the most sought after. It is the crystallization of time, nature and the life of the tree, a healing journey carrying a silent but intense vitality. Therefore, agarwood is always considered a symbol of resilience, purity and prosperity. What makes agarwood so attractive is its scent. The scent of agarwood is usually warm, sweet, not harsh, unlike Ky Nam. In particular, this scent can be revealed more clearly when in contact with body temperature, such as when wearing a bracelet or keeping agarwood in a pocket. The closer to the skin, the warmer, the more fragrant the agarwood, the scent seems to blend into the body, not ostentatious but quietly spreading. Agarwood is named into many different types based on appearance, hardness, aroma, and essential oil density. This naming does not follow any official standard. ▷ Classification by morphology of agarwood essential oil Aloe vera (or aloe vera) In the agarwood groups, agarwood is considered the basic level. The essential oil is often unevenly distributed, mainly thinly distributed, alternating along the wood grain, not densely distributed, deep into the core. That's why many people call this type of agarwood "hair agarwood" because of the dark essential oil lines that appear between the wood fibers like hair. This type of agarwood has the shortest formation time among natural agarwood, usually taking only 10 to 20 years to accumulate and be harvested. Therefore, the quality and value of agarwood is lower, but in return, it has a reasonable price and a relatively stable supply. Because of its easy-to-find and easy-to-process properties, agarwood has become a popular choice for those new to agarwood, or those who want to use agarwood in daily life, such as wearing bracelets, burning incense to relax, or making gentle feng shui items. Toc bong is a type of agarwood with raised essential oil veins that look like cotton. These agarwood blocks are formed entirely inside the trunk of the Aquilaria tree, and may only be exposed outside the trunk at the wound. This type has an eye-catching appearance and is often mildly fragrant because the agarwood essential oil has not accumulated enough. ball Agarwood ball is one of the higher stages of development of natural agarwood. At first glance, many people may confuse Agarwood with Agarwood. However, the difference lies in the level of oil absorption and the structure of the wood grain. While in Agarwood, the essential oil is still scattered along each wood grain, in Agarwood, the oil is more evenly distributed throughout the entire block of wood, blurring the boundary between the oil-filled and oil-free grains. Therefore, Agarwood is usually heavier than Agarwood (but not so heavy that it sinks in water) and has a more distinct aroma. Agarwood has higher quality essential oil than agarwood, so the scent is also stronger and lasts longer. With older agarwood samples, the scent is often sweet and deep, with distinct depth, depending on the soil and climate conditions where the agarwood is formed. With outstanding characteristics of essential oil density, deep aroma, and rarity, Agarwood is considered a type of agarwood with higher value than Agarwood. This is the ideal choice for Agarwood lovers who are gradually moving from the popular to higher levels of essential oil and aroma. ▷ Classification by location of agarwood formation In fact, agarwood is also classified based on the location of formation on the Aquilaria tree. For example, root agarwood is the type of agarwood formed in the root part of the tree, where the wood is often very hard, old and contains a lot of essential oils, so it is highly appreciated for both quality and value. Face incense agarwood appears in the middle of the tree trunk, where it is easier to exploit and produces a large yield. Near the base of the tree, close to the ground, is where face agarwood is formed, an area with favorable natural conditions for the accumulation of essential oils. In addition, agarwood with dead eyes is formed at the broken points of tree branches, where they have been damaged and accumulate essential oils to heal themselves. Similarly, agarwood with island eyes is also formed at larger broken parts, such as the main trunk or large branches, where the agarwood can penetrate deep into the core of the wood. Another form is agarwood with agarwood whose essential oils accumulate in thin layers covering the outer layer of the wood, are often easy to peel off and have a light, pleasant aroma. ▷ Classification by tree condition when exploited Agarwood Agarwood is a common type of agarwood, exploited from living or newly exploited Aquilaria trees. Quiet Different from agarwood, agarwood decay is a special type of agarwood exploited from dead Aquilaria trees, usually trees that have dried up in the forest, buried under the ground and sand for a very long time. When the tree gradually rots over the years, the wood is usually almost completely decomposed, leaving only the agarwood core, which contains a lot of essential oils, undamaged. Therefore, rotten agarwood has an uneven shape, strange color, and a characteristic aroma. Agarwood is often used as jewelry, feng shui items, creating bracelets and pendants with rustic beauty, personality and charisma. Exploiting agarwood is not simple, because agarwood seekers have to go deep into the forest, excavate each dead tree stump, sometimes spending weeks or months to find a true piece of agarwood. ▷ Other names Sinking This type of agarwood has such a high amount of essential oil that the wood block is heavier than water and sinks when dropped into water. This is often a characteristic to identify agarwood with high value, often appearing in old or long-standing agarwood. Besides, there is also a type of agarwood that is almost submerged. When dropped into water, this agarwood is half submerged, half floating. ant Agarwood is a special form of natural agarwood, formed when the trunk of the Aquilaria tree is invaded by ants or small insects, creating tiny holes in the wood core. This process causes long-term damage, causing the tree to secrete essential oils to protect itself, and gradually forms agarwood around the wounds caused by insects. Because it is formed completely naturally and with the “participation” of insects, agarwood has a very unique morphology: the ant paths are winding, interwoven into a network in the wood core, creating a unique, eye-catching appearance when trimmed, cleaned and processed into finished products. Those traces not only bear the mark of time but also increase the aesthetics, making agarwood an ideal material for landscape agarwood, the displayed agarwood blocks have high artistic value. In addition, the scent of agarwood also has its own nuances. In addition to the warm, gentle scent of agarwood, there may also be a light scent of the creatures that once lived in the tree trunk. Agarwood is not only loved for its aesthetic value but also for the interesting natural story hidden in each wood grain, like a part of the vivid memory of the old forest preserved in the agarwood block. Agarwood Agarwood is a type of agarwood created from Agarwood trees that grow naturally in the forest but do not yet have agarwood. When agarwood collectors discover a Agarwood tree that has the potential to produce agarwood, they will mark (“xi”) the tree as a way to establish ownership. Then, they actively create wounds on the tree trunk by drilling, nailing or lightly chopping to stimulate the tree to secrete essential oils. These trees often grow in primeval forest conditions, with favorable climate and soil, absorbing a lot of natural spiritual energy, helping agarwood to form a more durable scent than industrially cultivated agarwood. The supply of this type of agarwood is now increasingly scarce, due to deforestation and uncontrolled exploitation over the years. The lack of a reasonable conservation plan has made natural dó bầu trees gradually rare, while they need many years to grow and produce agarwood. Because of its rarity and special natural aroma, Aquilaria crassna always has a higher value than cultivated agarwood. B. Origin The scent, color and quality of agarwood are deeply influenced by the soil and climate conditions where the tree grows. Therefore, agarwood in each country and each region has its own unique identity. Southeast Asia is considered the cradle of agarwood in the world, where thousands of years ago, people knew how to exploit, use and honor this precious wood. Prominent countries in this region include: Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines... 🇻🇳 Vietnam For connoisseurs and those who understand the scent, Vietnamese agarwood is always considered one of the top quality and scented agarwood in the world. In general, Vietnamese agarwood has thick, dark grain, solid wood and concentrated essential oil, a light and deep scent. This is the reason why Vietnamese agarwood is favored by demanding markets such as the UAE or Europe. In Vietnam, agarwood from each region also has its own distinct characteristics. Agarwood from Khanh Hoa, Gia Lai, Quang Nam, Phu Yen... although all are formed from the Aquilaria tree, under the influence of local climate and soil, they produce very different agarwood scents. Among them, Khanh Hoa agarwood is considered the most special, famous for its sweet, gentle, milky aroma that can linger deep in the throat and create a feeling of relaxation. This is also the region that was once famous for the most valuable agarwood. However, Khanh Hoa agarwood forests are now almost no longer exploited. The precious agarwood blocks from this region now only exist in the collections of long-time foresters, and are even considered rare “family heirlooms” in many families. Natural agarwood resources in Vietnam are gradually depleted due to uncontrolled exploitation and the ever-increasing demand worldwide. This makes Vietnamese agarwood, especially long-lived natural agarwood, more rare and valuable than ever. 🇮🇩 Indonesia Indonesia is one of the countries with the largest reserves and production of agarwood in Southeast Asia. Agarwood here stands out with its dark color, thick and beautiful wood grain, and strong, heavy scent compared to agarwood from neighboring countries. The age of agarwood usually ranges from 10 to 14 years, while agarwood can reach an age of 40 years or more, so it has a higher value. However, because of its attractive price and easily recognizable appearance, Indonesian agarwood is also the type most commonly counterfeited on the market. Indonesia has many famous agarwood mining areas, the most notable of which are: Tarakan, Aceh, Malinau, Papua and Kalimantan, where agarwood has a pleasant sweet smell and sharp grain. On the contrary, Ambum agarwood has a beautiful appearance but a weak agarwood smell, and is not highly appreciated for its quality of scent. Indo agarwood grain is usually hard, tight, feels solid and shiny after being crafted. Indo agarwood is usually dark brown, while golden Indo agarwood has a gray-yellow or golden brown color, highlighted by beautiful, natural wood grain. In terms of aroma, Indonesian agarwood has a gentle, pleasant and easy-to-use scent. Although it is not as sweet and has a clear aftertaste as Vietnamese agarwood, it is still loved by many people thanks to its stability, ease of perception and reasonable price. 🇰🇭 Cambodia Cambodia is one of the outstanding countries in the region for the quality of agarwood, especially red agarwood from Pursat province, one of the types of agarwood highly appreciated by collectors today. Cambodian agarwood is mainly exploited in the mountainous areas of the North, bordering Laos - where there are still many pristine forests that have not been exploited. The soil conditions, humidity and climate of the deep forests here have created an ideal environment for the formation of high-quality agarwood essential oil. Supply is increasingly scarce, while demand from collectors and high-end agarwood players is constantly increasing, causing the value of Cambodian agarwood, especially red ball agarwood, to be increasingly pushed up. 🇵🇭 Philippines In the Philippines, agarwood is often named after the island where it was discovered, creating a unique identity in the agarwood industry of this country. Among them, Leyte Island is considered the birthplace of the highest quality agarwood in the Philippines. Leyte Agarwood is known for its sweet, strong but not harsh, pleasant scent and long-lasting scent. Agarwood blocks from this area are sought after by collectors for their consistent quality, beautiful wood grain and concentrated essential oil. Besides Leyte, Agusan Island is also a highly regarded agarwood region, with quality ranking second to Leyte. Compared to other countries in the region, Philippine agarwood is not very popular in the international market, but for those who love strong and sweet scents, Leyte agarwood is always a name mentioned. 🇱🇦 Laos Agarwood from Laos is known for its gentle, elegant scent, bringing a feeling of relaxation to the user. Although not as sweet and deep as Vietnamese agarwood, Lao agarwood is pleasant, suitable for those who love the delicate, light scent of agarwood. Agarwood is usually light gray to wood gray in color, has an eye-catching shape and is quite popular in the regional market. In terms of price, Lao agarwood is often lower than Vietnamese agarwood, however, in the list of agarwood exported to Southeast Asia, the price of Lao agarwood is still in the high group, thanks to natural raw materials and stable output. 🇲🇾 Malaysia Malaysian Agarwood impresses with its fresh, sweet scent, reminiscent of the gentle scent of ripe fruit. Malaysian agarwood has high hardness, beautiful fine grain, color from light yellow to brown or black depending on the quality and time of essential oil accumulation. Overall, Malaysian agarwood color is often brighter, the grain is not too dark, suitable for making products such as bracelets, beads or agarwood statues at reasonable prices. Agarwood grows in coastal areas, mangroves and rainforests in states such as Johor, Terengganu, Kelantan and Pahang, areas known for their ideal climatic conditions for Aquilaria trees. The high-class Malaysian agarwood is the rarest type with a strong scent, can be over 100 years old, and is highly appreciated by agarwood players for both material and spiritual value. 🇹🇭 Thailand Thailand is one of the leading producers and exporters of agarwood in Southeast Asia. People here mainly exploit agarwood from wild forests in areas such as Trat, Prachinburi or nature reserves, where Aquilaria trees have grown naturally for decades. The scent of Thai agarwood is often warm, slightly spicy and slightly herbal, bringing a feeling of gentle relaxation. Thai agarwood is widely used in the production of feng shui items, agarwood landscapes and bracelets, and is also an important raw material in the perfume and incense export industry. 🇮🇳 India The main production areas are concentrated in the Northeastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Manipur, where the soil and climate are favorable for the growth of Aquilaria trees. However, despite its large output, Indian agarwood is often exploited at a young stage, mainly serving the domestic market, resulting in quality that is not always optimal like Vietnamese or Indonesian agarwood. Short-term and excessive exploitation is also a major challenge for this agarwood industry. Indian Agarwood is famous for its strong, pungent and long-lasting aroma, often with a deep, warm, slightly spicy tone. The wood grain is often dark or black, creating a unique beauty. Agarwood is widely used in aromatherapy, traditional medicine (Ayurveda) and especially in religious ceremonies. In meditation, worship or Hindu festivals, agarwood is a symbol of purity and sacredness, contributing to creating a solemn and peaceful atmosphere. 🇨🇳 China In the market, you may have heard the name Ky Hai Nam - a special type of agarwood that causes a lot of curiosity and controversy among agarwood players. Ky Hai Nam is a semi-natural agarwood, created from Agarwood trees using modern biotechnology. This type of agarwood is not formed completely in nature but is cultured in a controlled environment, then activated by injecting natural ky essential oil into damaged areas on the tree trunk to promote the agarwood creation process. The result is a type of agarwood with a pure, rich and characteristic scent. Agarwood is mainly produced in Hainan Island, China, which is considered the richest land in agarwood resources in the country. In addition to Hainan, agarwood produced using similar technology also appears in Guangxi, Guangdong, Guizhou, as well as many Southeast Asian countries. However, Hainan agarwood is still considered to have the best quality in the semi-natural agarwood line, and its reputation has been recognized among agarwood collectors for many years. Thanks to its strong, clean aroma and controllable production process, Ky Hai Nam has become the ideal choice for those who want to experience high-class Ky scent without having to spend too much money like natural Ky.
