A Word about Incense Types

When I started this project I had a few people (you know who you are) ask me about various types of incense and how they are burned and whatnot. I figured a post explaining the different types would be beneficial.

There are a few types I will go into greater detail about each type at a later date but for now I'll focus on a few of the easily accessible varieties you will probably run across in your travels.

Two BIG categories of incense:

Directly-burning- meaning it's light by a flame and can burn all by itself.

Indirectly-burning-meaning it cannot burn on it's own usually requires a heat source to keep it going.

What you'll normally find is directly burning incense so I'll focus on a few main types of it:

Stick (Joss Stick) incense- this is probably what you've bought, you've seen it in Buddhist Temples, or in vendors at the mall. Long wooden stick made with fragrant oils and powders, has an internal burning core that you light directly (making it a directly burning incense for review) and burns on its own. In some countries it even comes in a coil and is used for mosquito repellent but the basic concept is the stick incense we know and love.

Cone- this looks well, like a cone, rounded coney edges, usually says cone on the package, you get the idea. It's small  feels like a pastel or a crayon wrapper to the touch, usually you need a special burner that has a little circle in it for you to burn it, since unlike Joss Sticks, cones burn all the way through so there will be nothing left of them. Cones usually are more concentrated and have a heavier scent (at least in my experience). It is also a directly burning incense so you have to light it on fire and then blow it out to get it going much like the Joss.

Pyramid- same as the cone except pyramid shaped.

Smudge Sticks- okay so if Joss Sticks are the goody two-shoes of the incense world that have a dainty scent, that dissipates nicely throughout your house, smudge sticks are their bad ass fat cousin. Usually you'll find this as a bunch of herbs (Sage is pretty popular) bound together. It's a directly burning incense so you do light it on fire, and when you do, watch out, because they have a very  heavy woody scent and produce alot of smoke, so if you don't have good ventilation it's gonna be very overpowering very quick. Usually burned in a dish, or very commonly in a pretty abalone shell burner. To put out, you guessed it, smudge that sucker! Great for insect or even people repellent! Often used in rituals and other spiritual gatherings.

So there you have it! Those are mostly the ones you're going to find in stores. Some time I'll put up a post about the indirectly burning incenses but for now just enjoy! :)