Origin
Musk is a strong smelling secretion that comes from the scent glands of male musk deer. As the stag grows older he develops a gland that is like a kind of pouch between the sexual organs and the navel. The strong-smelling secretion is used to attract partners. In addition to the musk deer, there are other animals that produce this strongly smelling secretion, namely the musk ox, musk beetle and probably the best known musk rat.
Until the late 19th century, natural musk was mostly used. To obtain the fragrance the animal was killed, so the gland could be removed to dry, in the sun, on a hot stone or in hot oil. Since 1979 it is no longer allowed to use natural musk. As a result, the price of natural musk on the black market can rise to $ 45,000 per kilogram (about 160 deer) and is therefore more valuable than gold.
