Anisha Riggs
Incense is an aromatic material that releases a fragrant smoke when burnt. It is used for a variety of purposes, including aesthetic reasons, religious worship, aromatherapy, meditation, and ceremony. Incense is generally categorized into two types: direct-burning and indirect-burning. Direct-burning incense is the most common type, where the incense is lit directly by a flame and then gently blown out to release its aroma. Indirect-burning incense, on the other hand, requires a separate heat source, such as charcoal, and is usually made with bamboo, essential oils, and sawdust or charcoal. The form and usage of incense vary across different cultures and have evolved with technological advancements. Today, incense is commonly found in various shapes, including sticks, cones, coils, and blocks, each with unique properties and burn times.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of forms | 2 |
| Types of direct-burning incense | Stick, cone, coil, chips or blocks |
| Types of indirect-burning incense | Powder, paste |
| Main forms in India | Incense sticks, also known as agarbatti or joss sticks |
| Ingredients | Bamboo stick, charcoal dust, joss/jiggit/gum/tabu powder, masala (spice mix) powder, perfume liquid, synthetic ingredients, essential oils |
| Common scents | Frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood, sage, lavender, lotus, aloeswood, citrus |
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What You'll Learn
Incense sticks, cones, and coils
Incense is an aromatic material that releases a fragrant smoke when burnt. It is used for aesthetic reasons, religious worship, aromatherapy, and ceremonies. Incense can be separated into two main types: \"indirect-burning\" and \"direct-burning\". Direct-burning incense, also known as combustible incense, is lit directly by a flame and then fanned or blown out, leaving a glowing ember that smoulders and releases a smoky fragrance. This type of incense includes incense sticks, cones, and coils.
Incense Sticks
Incense sticks, also known as agarbatti in Hindi, are the main form of incense in India. They are made by rolling or moulding incense paste around a bamboo stick. The paste is typically made from charcoal dust, adhesive powder, and perfume ingredients such as masala (a spice mix) or synthetic liquid fragrances. The bamboo method originated in India, while the Nepali, Tibetan, and Japanese methods use a stick-making process without bamboo cores. Joss sticks, a type of incense stick with a bamboo core, are commonly burned in Chinese and Chinese-influenced communities for religious and spiritual purposes.
Incense Cones
Incense cones were invented in Japan in the 1800s and are made by placing incense paste into cone-shaped moulds, then removing and drying them. They burn relatively quickly and include a popular variety called backflow incense cones, which produce smoke that flows downwards instead of upwards. The main difference between incense cones and sticks is the percentage of binder used, with cones requiring a specific texture to form and dry properly in their shape.
Incense Coils
Incense coils are designed for easy setup and often come with holders, making them suitable for beginners and seasoned incense users alike. They offer a longer burn time compared to incense sticks and cones, typically lasting 1-3 hours per piece or 12-24 hours for larger coils. Coil incense provides a more expansive aroma distribution in a room, making it ideal for larger spaces or gatherings. Additionally, their unique and decorative appearance adds an aesthetic element to the experience.
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Direct-burning vs. indirect-burning incense
Incense is generally divided into two main types: direct-burning and indirect-burning. The preference for one form over the other varies with culture, tradition, and personal taste.
Direct-Burning Incense
Direct-burning incense, also known as combustible incense, is lit directly by a flame and then fanned or blown out, leaving a glowing ember that smoulders and releases a smoky fragrance. The combustible base of a direct-burning incense mixture not only binds the fragrant material together but also allows the produced incense to burn with a self-sustained ember, which propagates slowly and evenly through the entire piece of incense. Direct-burning incense is usually found in the form of incense sticks and cones. The most prevalent way to make direct-burning incense commercially involves distilling the aromatic materials into essential oils and blending them with perfume industry synthetics to create fragrance oils. The fragrance oils are then applied to an odourless incense stick or cone, which is then placed aside to cure, or dry. Direct-burning incense made this way is fairly durable and transportable. Backflow incense cones are a novel form of direct-burning incense that creates a waterfall smoke effect when placed on a backflow burner.
Indirect-Burning Incense
Indirect-burning incense, also known as non-combustible incense, is not capable of burning on its own and requires a separate heat source. It is an aromatic material or combination of materials, such as resins, that does not contain combustible material. Indirect-burning incense is burned directly on top of a heat source or on a hot metal plate in a censer or thurible. In Japan and China, a similar censer called an egōro or a shǒulú is used by several Buddhist traditions. The incense mixture is burned on top of makkō powder, which is poured into a depression made in a bed of ash. This method in Japan is known as sonae-kō (religious burning). Finer forms of indirect-burning incense tend to burn more rapidly, while coarsely ground or whole chunks may be consumed very gradually, having less surface area. Heat is traditionally provided by charcoal or glowing embers. In the West, the best-known incense materials of this type are the resins frankincense and myrrh.
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Incense ingredients and their uses
Incense is an aromatic material that releases fragrant smoke when burnt. It is composed of aromatic plant materials, often combined with essential oils. The basic ingredients of incense sticks are bamboo sticks, a charcoal or wood powder fuel, an oxidizer, and a binder. The bamboo method of making incense sticks originated in India and is distinct from the Nepali, Tibetan, and Japanese methods, which do not use bamboo cores.
The fuel and oxidizer mixture in incense is typically made from charcoal or wood powder, providing the fuel for combustion, while an oxidizer such as sodium nitrate or potassium nitrate sustains the burning. Natural plant-based binders like gum arabic or gum tragacanth are used to bind the mixture together. Gums and mucilaginous material, derived from botanical sources, are mixed with fragrant materials and water. The dry binding powder usually comprises about 10% of the dry weight in finished incense.
Fragrant materials are added to the base before or after shaping, depending on whether they are in powder or oil form. Incense ingredients can include various roots, bark, plants, and spices, such as magnolia, peony, cypress, and sandalwood. Sandalwood is also used in traditional Chinese medicine and is one of the two most important ingredients in Chinese incense, along with agarwood. Agarwood, also known as kyara in ancient Japanese, is produced by trees of the genus Aquilaria, which accumulate resin within their xylem. The highest-grade agarwood, kyara, is much rarer than common types and has distinct aromatic characteristics.
Other incense ingredients include patchouli, which has a warm, woodsy scent, and benzoin, which yields a warm, mild scent and is found in tropical Sumatra. Borneo camphor, derived from the camphor tree, is a natural insect and moth repellent. In the production of natural incense, liquid scents such as essential oils, decoctions, hydrosols, and other extracts are often added to the blend. While water is necessary to activate the binder, it can be substituted with other water-based liquids such as tea, coffee, milk, fruit juices, or herbal teas.
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Incense burners and how to light incense
Incense burners are available in a variety of materials, including metal, stone, and ceramic. They are designed to hold the incense and catch the ashes, with some burners featuring small feet to prevent the burner from resting directly on the surface. When using an incense burner, it is important to ensure that it is placed on a heat-resistant surface and that no flammable items are nearby. Additionally, it is recommended to keep incense burners out of the reach of children and pets, as the burner and the remnants of the incense stick can become very hot.
Incense comes in various forms, including sticks, cones, coils, and blocks. The most common type is stick incense, which can be held or placed in an incense burner while being lit. To light incense sticks, you can follow these steps:
- Hold one end of the incense stick or place it in an incense burner angled upwards.
- Light the other end of the stick with a match or lighter, ensuring that the incense is immersed in the flame until it ignites and a small flame is visible.
- Allow the flame to burn for a few seconds, then gently fan or blow it out.
- Check the incense tip. If you see a small glowing ember and smoke, the incense has been correctly lit.
Incense cones are another popular option, offering a fragrant experience without the time commitment of incense sticks. To light an incense cone, follow these steps:
- Place the incense cone upright in an incense burner, ensuring it is made of heat-resistant material.
- Apply a flame to the tip of the cone using a match or lighter. It may take a few moments to ignite.
- Allow the tip to burn for a few moments, being careful not to let the flame consume the entire cone.
- Gently blow out the flame. You should see an ember on the tip and smell the incense smoke.
- Place the lid on the incense burner if desired, keeping in mind that adequate airflow is required for the incense to continue burning.
In addition to incense sticks and cones, there are also indirect-burning and direct-burning incense options. Direct-burning incense is the most common type, where you light it directly with a flame, gently blow out the flame, and allow the ember to release its aroma. Indirect-burning incense requires more steps, as you need to use charcoal, a burner, and a heatproof dish to hold everything.
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The history of incense
In ancient and medieval times, incense was often burned in its raw form, with wood chips, resins, or other aromatic substances placed on a heat source like burning charcoal. This practice continues in many Arab countries, where scented chips or blocks called "bakhoor" are burned using a traditional incense burner or "mabkhara". The Chinese have a long history of using incense in various aspects of daily life, including religious ceremonies, traditional medicine, and ancestor veneration, dating back over two thousand years.
The earliest stick-shaped incense appeared in China during the Ming Dynasty (1348-1644), and it has since become the most popular form of incense today. These incense sticks, also known as "agarbatti" in Hindi, are made by rolling or moulding incense paste around a bamboo stick. The Japanese method of stick-making differs in that it does not use a bamboo core. Incense sticks are ideal for filling smaller areas with fragrance, as the mild scent spreads evenly and constantly.
Another form of incense is the cone, which produces an intensive fragrance in a short amount of time, making it suitable for large rooms. The dense area of fragrant material in cones makes them perfect for expressing hospitality to guests. Backflow cones are a unique variation that releases smoke that flows downward, creating a waterfall effect.
Coil incense is a less common style that offers a longer burn time, making it ideal for outdoor use or large, ventilated spaces. This type of incense is simply pressed into a flat, coil shape and placed on sand or a heat-proof dish.
The use of incense holds symbolic and spiritual meanings in many cultures, often associated with rituals, religious ceremonies, and magical practices. Incense is also widely used for aromatherapy, meditation, and creating a soothing atmosphere.
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Frequently asked questions
Incense comes in many shapes and sizes, including sticks, cones, coils, and chips or blocks.
Incense sticks are made from a thin stick of bamboo coated in scent-infused material. The bamboo is coated in a combustible paste made from coal, fibres of bamboo, and a binding agent, then rolled in ground-up scent material or infused with extracted essential oil.
To burn incense sticks, light the top of the stick, gently blow out the flame, then let the ember release its aroma. Place the burning stick upright in an incense burner filled with ash.
Incense can be separated into two main types: "indirect-burning" and "direct-burning". Indirect-burning incense is not capable of burning on its own and requires a separate heat source, such as charcoal. Direct-burning incense is lit directly by a flame.
