Lance Carson
Incense is a substance burned for its sweet-smelling fragrance, often during religious ceremonies. Frankincense, for example, is used to invite angelic or heavenly protection and is commonly used in Catholic rituals. Incense is also used in traditional Southern Italian house blessings, where equal parts of camphor, myrtle leaves, and nutmeg are burned to allow the sacred smoke to flow through the house. The Profumo di Firenze collection, inspired by Dante Alighieri's journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise, features incense as a middle note in its XXV Marzo fragrance. This fragrance also includes top notes of rose, coffee, and spices, and base notes of sandalwood, musk, and vanilla.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Top notes | Geranium, Pine needles, Orange, Saffron, Damask rose, Earthy notes, Mineral notes, Rose, Coffee, Spices |
| Middle notes | Frankincense, Davana, Leather, Tobacco, Patchouli, Incense, Labdanum, Oud, Saffron |
| Base notes | Sandalwood, Virginia cedar, Leather, Vetiver, Amber, Sandalwood, Musk, Vanilla |
| Incense type | Frankincense, Myrrh, Pine, Spruce, Fir, Cedar, Amber |
| Occasion | Burning in a restaurant, selling/giving to guests, burning to attract customers |
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What You'll Learn
Frankincense, myrrh, and other resins
Frankincense, a resin with a bright citrusy smell, is a common incense ingredient in Italy due to its use in Catholic rituals. It is believed to invite angelic or heavenly protection and is especially uplifting. Frankincense is also mentioned in the Bible, where it is said that its smoke carries prayers to God. It is a middle note in the Dante Collection by Profumo di Firenze, a fragrance collection dedicated to the first journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise described by the great Italian poet, Dante Alighieri.
Myrrh is another resin used in incense that is believed to open the doors to the otherworld. It is often burned together with frankincense in Catholic rituals and by practitioners of Benedicaria, a traditional form of Southern Italian folk medicine. Myrrh may be present in cheap incense, creating a suffocating smell when burned. However, when combined with quality ingredients, it can add depth to the scent, providing a balsamic soft warmth in the background.
Other resins used in incense blends include pine, spruce, fir, cedar, and Baltic amber resin. These resins are combined with sacred herbs and trees that hold special meanings and connections to one's home and ancestors. For example, a traditional Southern Italian house blessing incense is made with equal parts camphor, myrtle leaves, and nutmeg.
When creating incense for an Italian restaurant, one might consider using fresh and bright-smelling ingredients like Boswellia sacra, lemongrass, sage, rosemary, anise, or fennel seeds. Citrus peels can also be added, but their combustibility is uncertain.
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Italian culinary herbs like rosemary, sage, and anise
Italian cuisine is known for its robust and diverse use of herbs, with fresh herbs being preferred over dried ones. While dried herbs tend to have a stronger flavour, fresh herbs are considered essential in Italian cooking. Italian culinary herbs like rosemary, sage, and anise are not only used for their unique flavours and aromas but also for their medicinal and symbolic properties.
Rosemary
Rosemary, known as "rosmarino" in Italian, is a hardy plant with a peppery and woody flavour. It has been used for its medicinal properties since ancient times and is now a staple in modern Italian cooking. Rosemary is commonly used in roasted vegetable or meat dishes, adding a distinctive flavour to roasts, potatoes, breads, and stewed beans. Its aroma, though strong when first picked, becomes milder after cooking.
Sage
Sage, derived from the Latin root meaning "health," is another versatile herb in Italian cuisine. It is widely used in Northern Italian dishes, especially in Tuscany. Sage is often combined with rosemary to flavour roasts or used on its own to season specific cuts of veal, pork, and liver. Its large leaves are also fried in a light batter and served as an antipasto, pairing well with wine. Sage is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties and aids in digestion, making it an integral part of Italian cooking.
Anise
Anise, with its distinct licorice-like flavour, is another herb that can be used in Italian cuisine. While it may not be as commonly used as rosemary or sage, anise can add a unique flavour to various dishes. Anise seeds have been suggested as a potential ingredient in incense-making, adding a sweet and aromatic note.
When it comes to incense, there are a few Italian makers worth considering, such as Jarguna, who offers incense sticks and raw ingredients. However, specific incense recommendations to complement Italian culinary herbs like rosemary, sage, and anise are scarce. Frankincense, due to its presence in Christianity, is suggested as a historically common incense in Italy. Creating an olfactory "digestif" with bright citrusy notes from Boswellia sacra or other resins like lemongrass or anise seeds could be an intriguing option for incense burning in Italian restaurants or homes.
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Local Florentine lavender, Tuscan leather, and Florentine iris
The Profumo di Firenze collection is dedicated to Dante Alighieri, the great Italian poet and founder of literary Italian. The collection's fragrances are inspired by Florence, including local Florentine lavender, Tuscan leather, and Florentine iris.
Local Florentine lavender is a well-known fragrance from Florence. It is used in luxury soaps such as La Florentina Lavanda Toscana, which is imported from Italy and enriched with natural additives like olive oil and shea butter. The soap is known for its softening and moisturizing properties.
Tuscan leather, or 'vachetta', is a type of leather created through a traditional vegetable tanning process that originated in prehistoric Tuscany. This process involves three phases: preparing the rawhides, soaking them in natural tree tannins, and drying the leather. The final product is flexible and resistant, and unique to each artisan factory.
Florentine iris is another fragrance from Florence that has inspired perfume brands. While there is limited information on this specific fragrance, the iris flower is known for its delicate, sweet scent, which could be a fitting addition to the Dante collection's incense-inspired fragrances.
The Dante collection by Profumo di Firenze captures the essence of Florence through its unique fragrances. The combination of local Florentine lavender, Tuscan leather, and Florentine iris showcases the richness of the region's culture and history, offering a sensory journey through Italy's renowned destinations.
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Citrusy scents like orange and lemongrass
One popular option for citrus incense is the blend of clary sage, crisp lemon, and sparkling lime. This combination is offered by Oakland Gardens in the form of incense sticks, providing a fresh and light fragrance that can enhance your mornings or evenings outdoors. It's also effective at keeping mosquitoes at bay, making it a practical choice for bug-free evenings on your patio.
If you're looking for a longer-lasting option, the Sage & Citrus incense sticks by Oakland Gardens come in a pack of 100 and receive positive reviews for their lingering fragrance. This blend of clary sage, lemon, and lime creates a wonderful scent that fills your home and lasts for a long time.
For a more exotic and luxurious experience, you can try the Orange Blossom & Lemongrass incense sticks offered by Temple of Incense. These incense sticks have a soft, honeyed orange scent paired with bright lemongrass, creating a relaxing and revitalising aroma. Each stick has a minimum burn time of 45 minutes, and the box contains 20 luxury incense sticks, making them a great choice for those seeking a high-quality incense experience.
In addition to their pleasant fragrances, citrus-based incenses have practical benefits. For example, they can be used to repel unwanted insects, such as mosquitoes and small bugs, which are typically repelled by the smell of citrus. This dual functionality makes citrus incense a versatile and useful addition to your home.
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Pine, spruce, and fir tree resins
Pine, spruce, and fir trees are conifers that produce resins that can be used as incense. These resins are the sticky and dried sap of the trees, which can be found in the form of sap balls and drips. Pine resins, for example, have a piney/lemony smell when burned, while spruce resins are muskier. Red pine, a variant of pine, produces a less intense fragrance with an orange/cherry undertone. Blue spruce, a type of spruce, has a more intense, musky, almost animalistic smell.
Spruce resin can be harder to find, but it is often found in abundance where the tree has been damaged. Pine resin, on the other hand, is more readily available, especially from damaged or broken trees. When burning pine resin, it is important to note that the fragrance can change over time, sometimes becoming unpleasant or smelling like plastic. Heating the resin over a tealight can produce a nice foresty aroma.
The age of the resin can also impact its scent, with older resins often providing a better fragrance. Resins should be stored for at least a year to allow them to "ripen" before burning. Additionally, the method of burning can affect the scent; burning resin on charcoal may not be ideal, and a lower-temperature electric burner could be preferable.
Overall, pine, spruce, and fir tree resins offer a range of aromatic experiences, from refreshing and citrusy notes to musky and intense fragrances. These resins can be sustainably sourced from naturally occurring sap balls, damaged trees, or ethical harvesting methods.
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Frequently asked questions
The Dante Collection is inspired by the first journey described in Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy, through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise.
The top notes of XXV Marzo are rose, coffee, and spices.
The middle notes of the Dante Collection fragrance are leather, tobacco, patchouli, incense, and labdanum.
Frankincense is a common incense in Italy due to Christianity. Other incense fragrances that can be used to create an Italian aroma include rosemary, sage, anise, fennel seeds, and benzoin.
