Kemet Kyphi-Reviving an Ancient Art
What is Egyptian Kyphi?
Kapet is a traditional semi-soft incense blend that dates back thousands of years, originating in ancient Kemet—the original name for Egypt. The word "Kyphi" is the Latin version of the Greek transcription of the Egyptian word Kapet, which means "to perfume" or "to cense."
Egyptian Kyphi is one of the most revered and sacred fragrances in history. It was not used as an everyday air freshener. It was used to call divinity through smoke. Egyptian Kyphi is a complex living compound of aromatic resins, herbs, spices, and other natural ingredients, carefully crafted and cured to produce a rich, layered fragrance that is both calming and stimulating that fully reveals itself over time. Kyphi was traditionally burned in the evenings to quiet the mind, ease the body, and invite restful, inspired sleep.
Ancient Egyptians believed Kyphi’s healing power was holistic and inseparable from its spiritual function. They believed inhaling sacred Kyphi smoke was meant to drive away evil spirits and restore spiritual balance.
Kyphi History
The oldest known recipe for Egyptian Kyphi appears in the Ebers Papyrus, a medical text dating back to around 1500 BCE. As one of the most significant ancient Egyptian documents. Some sources suggest that the earliest reference to Kyphi appears in the Pyramid Texts, dating back to the Fifth and Sixth Dynasties of the Old Kingdom in ancient Egypt.
Both sources are correct in different ways:
- The Pyramid Texts (Fifth and Sixth Dynasties, c. 2400–2100 BCE) contain some of the earliest known references to sacred incense offerings.
- The Ebers Papyrus (c. 1500 BCE, New Kingdom) contains the earliest complete written recipe for what is recognized as Kyphi.
Kyphi Today
Kyphi Today
At Kemet Kyphi we honor and respect the ancient traditions of the people of Kemet by crafting our unique blend of Egyptian Kyphi with the utmost care and respect for its ancient historical roots.
Authentic Ingredients: We use only the finest natural ingredients, sourced from around the world, to recreate the sacred aroma of ancient Egypt. Ingredients List: Benzoin of Sumatra, Black Ethiopian Resin, Blue Lotus Flower, Cinnamon, Copal, Egyptian Myrrh, Frankincense, Raisins, Honey, Juniper Berries, Red Wine, Saffron, Sandalwood.
Handcrafted with Care: Each batch of Kapet is meticulously prepared and cured slowly over several months, ensuring the highest quality and authenticity, using a synthesis of known recipes.
Expert Egyptian Kyphi turns dark because darkness and caramelization are signatures of ingredient integration and maturity. As Kyphi cures over weeks or months, its resins, fruits, and sweeteners undergo a slow oxidation and maillard-like process — the same kind of subtle browning that deepens flavor in aged balsamic vinegar or cured tobacco. - the kiss of Ra through time rather than fire.
Ready to embark on a fragrant journey through time? Explore our collection of authentic Kyphi blends and discover for yourself why Kyphi has captivated hearts for millennia.