Word: fragrant
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...ARTS & SOCIETY Cinema: Hooray for Bollywood Books: Fragrant Harbour...
...Fragrant Harbour, John Lanchester's new novel of Hong Kong, begins with a map; two actually. Unless the book in question is Treasure Island, this is rarely a good sign. A map sends a warning signal that what lies ahead may be so complicated that readers will be unable to keep their bearings without graphic aids. But this is a book that seeks to map the heart of a city. In its geography lies its spirit. Stretching over seven decades, and narrated by three different characters, Lanchester's novel tells the story of Hong Kong: its murky past, its riotous...
...Perfume Shop. Passersby are offered seemingly innocent cups of the Sri Maa Special Masala Tea, so flavorful it's addictive. Owner Shiku pours smaller and smaller doses of it, to the point where his victim will buy anything to get another cup. Once the requisite fragrant oils are purchased, Shiku produces a tiny gold velvet bag redolent of rare spices: cinnamon, cardamom, clove, mace, nutmeg and saffron?the secret to his house blend. "For five dollars," he whispers, "you can make the tea at home." But when you run out, be prepared to fork out for more of Shiku...
SOUK SCENTS Long before petroleum was discovered in the Middle East, Arab trade was dominated by incense, fragrant resins and perfume woods?and Oman, as the center of this trade, prospered. It may seem something of a contradiction that Omanis, given their conservative customs, would indulge in the extravagant and heady scents of rose oil, musk, sandalwood, myrrh and frankincense. But a trip to the souk, or traditional market, in Muttrah quickly reveals this penchant for perfume is not just an aesthetic pleasure?it's big business with a long history. Omanis have been extracting frankincense from the Boswellia carterii...
...dizzying array of fragrant powders, wood chips, oils and waters can be found among the meandering alleyways of the souk. Burlap sacks of sandalwood, red saffron, rose petals and golden nuggets of bakhur, or incense, pack miniscule shops, some barely large enough to hold their proprietors. Rows of unlabeled glass bottles, filled with fragrant oils, are the basis for Omani perfumes. In the shops, Omani women, clad from head to toe in black, extend hennaed hands to select and combine their favorite scents. An Omani woman may be quiet and modest when she walks past, but her signature aroma...