Seamus Hammond
Incense is a fragrant smoke that is obtained by burning specific biotic materials and has been used for centuries in various cultures. Indian incense is known for its strong fragrances, with woody, floral, and fruity notes. Some of the best Indian incense in the market include Phool incense sticks, Satya, and Nag Champa Gold. The Mother's India Fragrances, Nandi Divine Flora, and Aastha & Nectar are also popular choices, known for their rich and sweet fragrances. Laxmi Brand frankincense sticks and incense produced by the Mysore Sughandi Dhoop Factory are also considered to be of very good quality.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Incense Type | Aloeswood, Sandalwood, Frankincense, Nag Champa, Durbar, Champa, Flora, Masala, Charcoal, Halmaddi |
| Brands | Nippon Kodo, Mysore Sughandi Dhoop Factory, Laxshmi Dhoop, Satya, Phool, Hem, Lakshmi Brand, Padmini, Mother's India Fragrances, Nandi Divine Flora, R-Expo Bam Champa, Shah Agarbatti Sai Deep, Aastha & Nectar |
| Country of Origin | India, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, Japan |
| Format | Sticks, Powders, Resins, Cones |
| Scent | Woody, Sweet, Floral, Fruity, Perfumed, Vanilla, Lavender |
| Other | Handmade, Organic, Natural Ingredients, Synthetic Oils |
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What You'll Learn
Popular brands of Indian incense
Indian incense is often characterised by its bamboo stick centre and fruity fragrance. Popular brands of Indian incense include Phool, Satya, and Lakshmi. Phool incense sticks are well-made by women in India who reuse temple flowers. The brand Satya is also well-known, particularly for its classic Blue Box. Lakshmi brand frankincense sticks are noted for their dense smoke and pleasant, not-too-perfumed smell.
Other popular Indian incense brands include The Mother’s India Fragrances, Nandi Divine Flora, and Shah Agarbatti Sai Deep. The Mother’s India Fragrances' Ganesh Nagchampa is a popular durbar with a mellow and rich lavender-fused perfume. Nandi Divine Flora offers a range of charcoal-based floral scents, including a unique champa-ish scent. Shah Agarbatti Sai Deep produces a rich and spicy incense that is similar to Incense from India Shanti Sai Flora.
Some other brands to consider are Aastha & Nectar, which offers a sweet vanilla fragrance, and Mysore Sughandi Dhoop Factory, which produces high-quality Indian incense according to one source. A unique type of woody incense from Nepal is rope incense, which is made from sandalwood powder rolled into rice paper strips.
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Japanese vs Indian incense
Incense is used for various purposes, including worship, prayer, meditation, and medicinal purposes. While there are many types of incense, this answer will focus on the differences between Japanese and Indian incense in terms of their construction, aroma, and availability.
Construction
Indian incense is typically constructed as a paste of wood and aromatics coated around a bamboo stick core, which burns away with the core. This type of incense is commonly produced not only in India but also in China. On the other hand, Japanese incense does not have a bamboo stick in the centre and is made entirely of incense material. This construction allows users to easily break the incense into pieces and control the amount burned.
Aroma
Indian incense tends to produce more smoke and a stronger aroma, often leaning towards floral and fruity scents. In contrast, Japanese incense generates less smoke and has a more subtle fragrance, usually with woody and spicy notes. While Japanese incense is renowned for its depth and subtlety, Indian incense offers a wide range of aromas, from gentle and subtle to potent and overwhelming.
Availability
Both Japanese and Indian incense are readily available in the market, with various brands and price points to choose from. High-quality Japanese incense, such as aloeswood, is considered among the best in the world, and Japan has a dedicated incense culture with specialised boutiques in luxury malls. Indian incense also offers a range of options, from cheap mass-produced sticks to premium handcrafted varieties.
Recommendations
For Japanese incense, Nippon Kodo is a well-known brand offering both low-end and high-end options. Shoyeido's "daily" series is another accessible option, while Tennendo provides a higher-end sampler pack. As for Indian incense, Mother's India offers a 21-scent sample box at an affordable price, and their Oudh Nag Champa incense is particularly noteworthy. Phool incense sticks, crafted by women in India using reused temple flowers, are also recommended, although they are relatively expensive.
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Tibetan vs Indian incense
Tibetan and Indian incense differ in terms of their ingredients, fragrance, production methods, and cultural significance. Here is a detailed comparison between the two:
Ingredients and Fragrance:
Tibetan incense is known for its woody aroma, often containing various herbs, spices, and flowers. The main ingredient is typically wood, such as sandalwood, agarwood, pine, or cedar. Other common ingredients include myrrh, amber, frankincense, snow lotus herb, hibiscus, saffron, and clove. Tibetan incense tends to have a strong fragrance and can evoke a sense of instant nirvana or an instant headache, as described by some.
On the other hand, Indian incense is often characterised by its fruity notes. It commonly features a bamboo stick at its centre, which is unique to Indian incense. High-quality Indian incense may have a sandalwood base. The Phool incense sticks from India are well-known for being handcrafted by women who reuse temple flowers.
Production Methods:
The production methods for Tibetan and Indian incense vary significantly. Tibetan incense is typically handmade, with a more liquid consistency compared to Indian incense. Tibetans use a pierced horn to create a line of incense that dries to form the stick. The mixture may also be extruded into strips by hand or with a bull's horn, then cut and wrapped around a bamboo stick.
Indian incense, on the other hand, involves kneading the mixture with water to form a dough-like consistency. This dough is then shaped into cylinders of varying thicknesses, offering better combustion and fragrance distribution.
Cultural Significance:
Incense holds cultural and spiritual significance in both Tibet and India. Tibetan incense is deeply rooted in Tibetan society and Buddhism. It is burned as a sacrifice or offering, used in religious rites, and plays a role in purifying liturgical places and during private prayers. It is an integral part of daily life in Tibet, used for relaxation, meditation, and cleansing the home.
Indian incense is also used in religious practices and offerings, often referred to as "joss sticks" or "dhoop." It is commonly burned during pooja, a form of worship or devotional practice.
In summary, Tibetan incense is favoured for its natural ingredients, strong fragrances, and cultural significance in Tibetan Buddhism. Indian incense, meanwhile, is known for its fruity notes, bamboo sticks, and cultural importance in religious offerings and devotional practices.
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Homemade Indian incense
Incense is a cultural element in many parts of the world, including India. While there are many types of incense available in the market, you can also make your own at home. Here is a guide on how to make homemade Indian incense:
Ingredients and Tools
To make homemade Indian incense, you will need a variety of dried herbs, such as cedar, lavender, sage, and sweetgrass. You can use home-grown or store-bought herbs. In addition, you will need a mortar and pestle, makko powder (derived from the bark of the Thunberi tree), water, a bowl, a mixing stick, a fine mesh sieve, a fondant extruder or syringe, and vinyl gloves.
Preparation and Mixing
Start by crushing your chosen dried herbs into a fine powder using the mortar and pestle. This step may take some time, depending on the type of herb you are using. Once you have a powdery consistency, mix in the makko powder, which serves as a natural binder and combustible agent. Use a 1:3 ratio when mixing the makko powder and herbs (for example, one teaspoon of makko powder for every three teaspoons of pulverized herbs). You can also add essential oils or fragrances at this stage if you wish to enhance the scent.
Shaping the Incense
The next step is to shape your incense mixture into cones or sticks. If you are making cones, you can use your hands to roll and shape the incense, wearing vinyl gloves to prevent sticking. You can also use a mould or icing bag tips to create the cone shape. For sticks, you can use a fondant extruder or a syringe to form coreless sticks. Indian-style sticks are generally thin and require more precision.
Drying and Burning
After shaping your incense, allow it to air dry completely before burning. Place your incense on a heat-resistant surface, such as a ceramic tile, and always burn it in a well-ventilated area. Ensure that there are no flammable objects nearby, and always keep an eye on the lit incense to prevent accidents.
Safety Precautions
When making and burning incense, it is important to take safety precautions. Wear a face mask when handling the powdered ingredients to avoid inhaling them. Additionally, keep incense away from drafty areas, and do not leave lit incense unattended. Always make sure that all incense is completely extinguished and cool before discarding it. Consult a physician before burning incense if you are pregnant, nursing, asthmatic, or have respiratory issues or other medical conditions.
Creating your own Indian incense at home allows you to experiment with different herbs and fragrances to find your perfect scent. Enjoy the process, and fill your space with the aromas of your handcrafted incense.
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The impact of synthetic oils on Indian incense
Incense is derived from the Latin word "to burn", and it is typically burned for meditation, air purification, or spiritual attunement. While natural incense has a deep, soft, lingering scent, synthetic incense is often associated with vibrant, crisp aromas that can lead to headaches. The use of synthetic fragrances in incense has become prevalent due to their low cost, and they are mostly petrochemical in origin. Synthetic oils can be created in laboratories using molecules found in natural attars or essential oils, such as sandalwood oil. These synthetic aroma chemicals can be made from naturally occurring molecules purified from plants, molecules modified industrially, or entirely fragrant but unnatural molecules.
Indian incense sticks typically have a bamboo stick in the centre and tend to have fruity scents. Some popular Indian incense brands include Phool incense sticks, which are well-crafted by women in India using reused temple flowers, and Satya, which produces the classic Blue Box. Another well-known brand is Nippon Kodo, which offers both low-end and high-end incense products.
However, synthetic oils can offer some advantages. They can provide a wider range of distinctive and recognizable scents, as they are not limited to the variations found in natural sources. Additionally, synthetic oils may be less irritating to the skin compared to essential oils, which are sensitive to climate and habitat conditions.
Overall, the impact of synthetic oils on Indian incense has resulted in a trade-off between accessibility and quality. While synthetic oils have made incense more affordable and widely available, they may not offer the same natural and subtle fragrances as traditional, plant-based incense.
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Frequently asked questions
The best Indian incense depends on individual preferences. However, some popular options include:
- Phool incense sticks
- Satya
- Lakshmi Brand frankincense sticks
- Pakeezah by Padmini
- Nandi Divine Flora
- R-Expo Bam Champa
- Shah Agarbatti Sai Deep
- Aastha & Nectar
- Nag Champa Gold
- NANDITA VAMPIRE Blood Incense
- Laxshmi Dhoop
- "King Of Mysore"
Incense aromas typically tend to be woody, flowery, or fruity.
Japanese incense is considered to be of higher quality and is often the preferred choice for incense enthusiasts. Japanese incense does not have a bamboo stick in the centre, unlike Indian incense.
Nippon Kodo is the most well-known Japanese incense brand outside of Japan, offering both low-end and high-end products.
High-quality Japanese incense can be found in luxury shopping malls in Asian cities, especially in boutiques dedicated to incense culture and appreciation.
