It makes the holiday scent socially acceptable! Meet the incense sommelier who works at Shangri-Las Oman hotels and serves dishes and cocktails infused with the aromatic resin

You’d be forgiven for thinking that the incense stick trend was short-lived—forgotten after the three wise men famously gave it away.

Far from it.

The trade in incense flourished for centuries, until about 700 AD.

The aromatic resin can also be found in the hotels of Shangri-La, which even employs a “smoky sommelier”: Khalid Al Amri. Who is not a gimmick.

He studied incense under the guidance of Canadian scholars Dr. Patricia Groves – who has spent more than 20 years researching and writing books on Oman’s heritage, art and culture – and at the Muscat National Museum of Oman and Bait Al Zubair Museum, a program that also earned him the title of Ambassador for Culture and Heritage. for Shangri-La in Oman.

So what does his role entail?

Khalid, who works in both of Shangri-La’s Omani resorts, Al Husn and Barr Al Jissah, said: “I have been searching for my calling all my life and I have finally found it.

“My job is to create moments of joy for our guests by sharing stories and my knowledge about incense sticks.

Khalid is pictured above in the incense garden at the Shangri-La Al Husn Resort

“It also brings me happiness because I am passionate about what I do.

“I am responsible for overseeing the traditional Omani greeting at our resorts, as well as conducting incense tours and the incredible architecture of our resorts in Oman.

“As part of this unique guest experience, Shangri-La Al Husn has its own incense garden with 21 incense trees planted in 2019.

“The Garden is a place where our guests can see, smell and see Frankincense in its natural form during their stay with us.

“We also have a Luban Spa[lubanisArabicforfrankincense)whereguestscanindulgeinArabianorientaltreatmentsandmassagesinfusedwithfrankincenseoil[lubanisArabiesvirwierook)waargastekansmulaanArabieseOostersebehandelingsenmasseringswatmetwierookolietoegedienis[lubanisArabicforfrankincense)whereguestscanindulgeinArabianorientaltreatmentsandmassagesinfusedwithfrankincenseoil

‘Our restaurants and bars also have incense-infused cocktails and dishes, such as our Phoenix from the Flames cocktail, made with limoncello, pastis, bourbon, incense and orange.’

Khalid reveals that he advises the restaurants and bars on how to use incense in dishes and drinks – and the type/grade that is most suitable.

The hotel plans to eventually use the incense it grows in its spas, restaurants and bars, but the trees aren’t quite ready yet – ‘like a vine, they need time to mature’.

Khalid also advises guests on the best types of incense to buy in the markets in the capital, Muscat – incense hunting is a popular activity among locals and visitors.

Frankincense, Khalid explained, is an aromatic resin derived from two main species of trees – the Boswellia sacra and the Boswellia papyrifera – with Oman ‘home to the best frankincense worldwide’.

Shangri-La operates several luxury hotels in Oman, clustered along the coast near Muscat (above)

Shangri-La’s Oman hotels (above) wave incense around the foyers, and offer dishes and cocktails infused with the aromatic resin

Khalid continued: ‘Incense is an integral part of Oman’s heritage. In the ancient world, frankincense was worth more than gold, and southern Oman happened to be rich in frankincense.

‘Today it is usually burnt at sunrise and sunset and is an important part of the welcome experience in an Omani household.

‘When you welcome a guest into your home in Oman, you first burn incense to create a wonderful aroma and then we offer our guests Arabic coffee and Arabic dates.

‘When I was growing up, my mother burned half a kilogram of incense daily to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere in our home. And if I wasn’t feeling well, my mother would boil Al Hojari incense in hot water, which is a high grade incense that can be taken for medicinal purposes.

‘Frankincense is also used as a room fragrance, to dispel kitchen odors and ward off any negative energy.

‘It is also known for its healing and restorative properties, as well as a perfume and as an aphrodisiac. The aromatic resin is also used for ceremonial and festive occasions such as during prayer and at weddings, and to ensure good health for a mother and child during childbirth.’

At Shangri-La’s Oman hotels, it doesn’t take long for guests to familiarize themselves with the allure of incense.

Khalid said: ‘When you visit Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah or Shangri-La Al Husn, we have created an authentic Omani welcoming experience for our guests. As soon as you enter one of our two resorts, which are side by side on Oman’s beautiful coast, you will smell the sacred aroma of incense, which we waft and spread throughout the grand lobby. You will also be greeted by either myself or one of my colleagues offering Arabic coffee and dates.’