Choosing the Right Incense: Stick, Resin, Cone, and More

There are many types of incense, each possessing its own aroma and burn characteristic, and each having a specific use. Let’s take a look at some of the best types of incense and how to use them to improve your space and mood.

1. Resin Incense

What It Is: Resin incense is one of the oldest types, used today and made from tree sap, such as frankincense, myrrh and copal.

Benefits: Resin incense is famous for its powerful & woody smell, and ideal for purification, meditation and ceremonies. It works with charcoal to burn, and the fragrance can fill a larger space.

2. Stick Incense

What It Is: Stick incense which is commonly used in homes consists of a bamboo core coated with fragrant materials.

Benefits: Stick incense burns steadily, gently, is easy to mid and offers a nice relaxing and ambient smell for daily use. Floral, woody and herbal scents are available so its also great for meditation or winding down.

3. Cone Incense

What It Is: Cone incense is very quick to burn and leaves a strong aroma.

Benefits: This is the type of Incense good for smaller rooms and normally used inside decorative burners where the backflow burner is used to create a visual smoke cascade effect, enhancing the aromas.

4. Coil Incense

What It Is: Coil incense is recognizable by its spirals and it has a longer burn time.

Benefits: Coil incense is perfect for large areas, temples, outdoor or long events since it is steady in scent.

5. Powdered Incense

What It Is: Powdered incense is made from herbs and resins ground as fine as possible and can be make specific to an aromatic profile.

Benefits: Relatively powerless incense powder can be tossed over charcoal and is great for rituals, or psychotherapeutic reasons, for its intense bursts of aroma.

6. Rope Incense

What It Is: Rope incense is twisted or braided, and often used in Tibetan traditions where it is burned by hanging or lying on ash.

Benefits: Rope incense has a nice earthy aroma that the users would have found to be quite useful in their spiritual ritual practices, as it is calming and supplies grounding.

How to Choose the Appropriate Incense for Your Objective

Depending on whether you’re looking for a subtle daily fragrance or a powerful ceremonial fragrance, each incense type is very different. But take some time to think about the space, purpose, and ambiance you want to create when enjoying the benefits of these various types of incense.

Our incense burner collections: