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Frankincense water
Maa al-luban (ماء اللبان): Dhofari frankincense-infused drinking water
Around Salalah in Oman's Dhofar region, where the frankincense trees grow on the dry hills behind the coast, many households drop a few tears of resin into a jug of water at night and sip it the next day, believing it settles the stomach. The water turns faintly milky and tastes cool, piney and slightly bitter. It is drunk at room temperature, in small glasses, often in the morning. Use only food-grade Boswellia sacra resin sold for eating (the pale hojari grade is best), never incense blends, and do not drink it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or without asking a doctor if you take regular medication. The mistake is using too much resin, which makes it unpleasantly bitter. Chef's tip: rinse the tears in a sieve first to wash off dust and resin powder, and the water will be clearer and gentler.
- Total time
- 10 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- ⅛ oz food-grade frankincense resin (Boswellia sacra)about 6 small pale tears
- 1 litre waterfiltered or bottled, at room temperature
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Spices & pantry
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Method
0/3 doneStep 1: Put ⅛ oz food-grade frankincense resin (Boswellia sacra) in a small sieve and rinse under cold running water for a few seconds to remove dust.
1 minStep 2: Drop the resin into a glass jug or bottle and pour over 1 litre water. Cover and leave at room temperature overnight, 8–12 hours. The water will turn slightly cloudy and the resin will soften.
5 minStep 3: Pour through a fine sieve into glasses. Drink within 24 hours, a small glass at a time. You can top the same resin up with fresh water once more before discarding it.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 0 kcal
- Protein
- 0 g
- Carbs
- 0 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does frankincense water take?
- About 10 minutes in total.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
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