Seamus Hammond
Incense crafting is an art, and a variety of ingredients can be used to create different fragrances and styles. One such ingredient is gum arabic, a natural gum with a range of uses. When making incense, gum arabic can be used as a binder, but it is important to note that it may be difficult to handle and can have an unpleasant smell. To achieve an even burn, a good amount of combustible ingredients must be added when using gum arabic as a binder. Some incense makers prefer to use makko powder, a combustible binder, or slippery elm bark, which is easier to work with and a main ingredient in Japanese incense. The type of incense being made will also determine the choice of binder, as coreless incense sticks require a higher percentage of binder to keep from breaking.
How to make incense with gum arabic
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Gum Arabic as a Binder | It can be used as a binder for making incense sticks but it is difficult to handle and may give off an unpleasant smell. |
| Makko Powder | A better alternative to gum arabic as it acts as both a binder and a combustible. |
| Water Content | Ensure there is enough water content in the dough and that it is evenly dispersed to prevent cracks and breakage. |
| Air Gaps | Remove air gaps when filling up the extruder to prevent incense sticks from breaking during the extrusion process. |
| Diameter | The standard diameter for incense sticks is 2mm, but thinner sticks (1.5mm) tend to smell cleaner. |
| Length | The standard length for incense sticks is 20cm, which can be divided into two 10cm short sticks. |
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What You'll Learn
Using gum arabic as a binder
When making incense, it is important to use a binder to hold everything together. One option for a binder is gum arabic, also known as "Luban" or "Frankincense Gum". Gum arabic is a natural gum that can be heated to release fumes with a fragrant smell. It can also be chewed for hours and reused, and is known for its medicinal properties.
If you are using gum arabic as a binder, it is important to use enough combustible ingredients to get a good, even burn. This is because gum arabic is not a combustible ingredient itself, unlike other binding options such as makko powder. Too much binder in your incense formulation will make even burning more difficult. Therefore, you must be careful to use the right amount of gum arabic as a binder.
The amount of gum arabic you will need will depend on the type of incense you are making. For cones and loose incense, any gum binder should work, and you will need 1/8 teaspoon of gum binder for 2 tablespoons of cones or 1 tablespoon of incense sticks.
Some people find gum arabic difficult to work with when making incense, as it can be challenging to handle and may have an unpleasant smell. However, others have found success using it as a binder, so it may be worth experimenting with to see if it works for your particular incense recipe.
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Challenges of using gum arabic
One of the main challenges of using gum arabic to make incense is that it can be difficult to handle. Some incense makers have reported that it is hard to work with and can result in an unpleasant smell. This may be due to issues with hydration and dough management, which are common challenges when making incense. For example, if there is not enough water content in the dough or if the water content is not evenly distributed, it can cause cracks in the dough and lead to breakage during the extrusion process.
Another challenge with using gum arabic is that it may not produce the desired aroma. Some incense makers have found that gum arabic can give off an unpleasant aroma, especially when dried and stored for a long period. This can be a significant issue, as incense is often valued for its pleasant fragrance.
Additionally, gum arabic may not be suitable for creating incense sticks. One incense maker reported that they faced challenges in making burnable incense sticks with Arabic/Acacia Gum, and it was only after reformulating that they achieved smokeless incense sticks. This suggests that gum arabic may require more experimentation and adjustments to create a successful incense product.
Overall, while gum arabic can be used as a binder in incense-making, it presents several challenges, including handling difficulties, potential unpleasant odors, and the need for reformulation to achieve the desired burnability and aroma. These factors may deter incense makers from choosing gum arabic as their primary binder, opting instead for alternatives like slippery elm root bark, which is a main ingredient in Japanese incense houses' makko powder.
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Alternative binders
When making incense, binders are used to make the dough workable and smooth, and to ensure the incense sticks are strong. Some incense makers have found gum arabic to be hard to work with and have turned to alternative binders.
One alternative binder is guar gum, which is also known as Indian gum, jaguar gum, and jaguar gum. Guar gum is derived from the guar bean and is a natural food thickener. However, some incense makers have reported that it gives off an unpleasant aroma when dried and stored.
Another alternative is xanthan gum, which is often used in pine and/or cypress bases for copal, myrrh, lavender, and rosemary incense. Xanthan gum is a natural gum produced from the fermentation of glucose or sucrose and is commonly used as a food additive.
Other potential binders include CMC (the industrial equivalent of tragacanth), acacia gum, and makko. Some incense makers also use slippery elm bark as their main binder, blending it with other natural ingredients such as tree resins.
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Combustible ingredients
When making incense with gum Arabic, it's important to consider the combustible ingredients in your mixture. Combustible ingredients are those that will burn and produce the desired fragrance when lit. Here are some things to keep in mind:
Firstly, gum Arabic itself is not a combustible ingredient; it serves as a binder to hold your incense mixture together. Therefore, you need to ensure you have enough combustible materials in your formulation to achieve a good, even burn. Some commonly used combustible ingredients include resins, woods, and leaves.
Resins, such as frankincense, myrrh, and onycha, are popular choices for incense as they release fragrant fumes when burned. You can experiment with different types of resins to find the ones that suit your desired scent profile.
Wood can be used as a combustible base for your incense. Sandalwood, for example, is a popular choice as it has a pleasant aroma and serves as an excellent carrier for resins and other materials. However, it can be quite heavy, so you might want to consider alternatives like Himalayan juniper powder, which has a soft, sweet aroma.
Leaves and herbs can also be added to your combustible mixture. Patchouli leaf, for instance, is often used in incense mixtures for its distinctive scent. You can experiment with different types of leaves and herbs to find the ones that enhance your incense's fragrance.
When mixing your combustible ingredients, it's important to find the right balance. Too much resin, for example, can make the incense smoke excessively and produce a sooty burn. On the other hand, too little resin may result in a weak fragrance. It's a good idea to start with a small batch and experiment until you find the perfect ratio for your desired scent and burn characteristics.
Additionally, the form of your incense (cones, sticks, or loose) may influence the amount of combustible material needed. For sticks, in particular, a good percentage of binder is crucial to prevent breakage, but this should be balanced with enough combustible ingredients to ensure a proper burn.
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Incense stick diameter
The diameter of incense sticks varies depending on the type of incense and the intended use. Some incense sticks are thinner, measuring around 1.3mm to 1.5mm in diameter, while others are thicker and can be up to 4mm in diameter.
Thinner incense sticks, such as those with a 1.3mm to 1.5mm diameter, are often used for bamboo agarbatti incense. These sticks are typically 9 inches long and are sold as raw incense sticks for making incense. They can be purchased wholesale from suppliers like anji sunbelt group co.ltd.
On the other hand, thicker incense sticks, such as the Herbal Meditation Incense and the Bosen's Centuries Weathered Old Sandalwood, have a diameter of about 4mm. These incense sticks are typically 8 inches long and are designed for Zen and deep meditation practices. They are made from natural ingredients such as Aloeswood, Zijin Rattan, Sandalwood, and various Tibetan Dharma medicines.
The diameter of the incense stick can also depend on personal preference. Some people believe that thinner incense sticks, such as those with a 1.5mm diameter, smell cleaner than thicker sticks. However, thicker incense sticks may have a longer burning time, with some lasting up to 100 minutes per stick.
When making incense sticks with gum Arabic, it is important to consider the desired thickness or diameter of the sticks. This will depend on the intended use of the incense sticks and the personal preferences of the user. It is also important to ensure that the dough used to make the incense sticks has enough water content and binder to create a consistent and crack-free product.
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Frequently asked questions
Gum arabic, also known as "Luban" or "Frankincense Gum", is a natural gum that can be used as a binder when making incense.
Gum arabic is a natural gum that can be used as a binder when making incense. It is also a good combustible, so it helps the incense burn evenly.
Some people find gum arabic difficult to work with and may prefer to use makko powder or slippery elm root bark instead. Too much gum arabic can make it difficult for the incense to burn evenly. Additionally, some people find that it gives off an unpleasant smell.
The amount of gum arabic used will depend on the type of incense being made. For cones and loose incense, any gum binder should work. A ratio of 1/8 teaspoon of gum binder to 2 tablespoons of the mixture has been suggested for cones, and 1/8 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon for incense sticks.
