Short description: Incense is the burning of wood chips, resins, and herbal mixtures to release their scents into the air as smoke. It differs from stick incense in that it mostly uses natural raw materials and the scent unfolds layer by layer with the heat of the smoke. It is part of a long tradition of fragrance stretching from the Ottoman Empire to the Arab world, and from the Mediterranean to the Far East.
Brief history
For thousands of years, incense has been used to purify spaces, welcome guests, and enrich rituals and ceremonies with fragrance. It has been considered an accompaniment to elegance in palaces, mosques, and mansions; in homes, it has become a daily habit for tranquility and pleasant fragrance.
Main types of incense
Agarwood / Oud (Oud Wood)
A rare and valuable wood texture. Its smoke is deep and resinous, carrying warm, woody, and sometimes animalistic nuances. A short burning time is sufficient.
Sandalwood
Provides a calming, creamy, and soft woodiness. Ideal for reading, working, and meditation.
Resins (Frankincense/Olibanum, Myrrh, Benzoin, etc.)
Offers fresh citrus-balsamic or slightly sweet warmth. Preferred before guests arrive for a “fresh start” effect.
Scented Blends (Moattar)
Blends of natural woods/resins delicately scented with select essences. Profile is clear, use is practical.