Choosing incense sticks can be a daunting task. There are many varieties, scents and benefits. One of the things I stress to people that you must start with a quality product.
Don’t Buy Cheap Junk
Unfortunately, the majority of the incense market consists of low end synthetic perfumed sticks. These sticks have synthetic scents, artificial colors and assorted chemicals to help the sticks burn. Other synthetic materials are adhered to the stick so the perfumes and chemicals can be absorbed. These result in very poor quality sticks that should be avoided. Don’t let the brightly colored label on the jar or the catchy “Super Fizzy Crinkle Puff” name lure you in. Sure you get a gazillion sticks for $5. Garbage is cheap. This is your typical truck stop, convenience store, head shop, cliché stuff that is acrid and nasty gross. It’s olfactory poison as far as I am concerned. Total nose pollution is bad. YUCK !
There are some dipped sticks that can be better quality IF they are dipped in pure essential oils. You still have to be very careful. It all depends on the purity of the oils. That’s a whole different conversation. The essential oils market is another topic all together. Beware of the mass produced dipped brands. You can occasionally find decent quality dipped sticks with small batch artisans that hand dip. I feel they still fall short overall. These types of sticks can also lose their scents rather quickly.
Hand Rolled is Key
The incense sticks at 7Shadows Market are imported hand rolled varieties. The hand rolled process makes a huge difference because the sticks are actually rolled in the various spices, herbs, resins, powders and extracts. The blends are adhered to the stick with a handmade paste. The paste is made often made of gums, light fine charcoal powder, honey or other natural ingredients. This creates an incense stick (known as agarbatti) that is fragrant, natural and has the properties you need to enjoy a satisfying aromatic experience.
Hand rolled incense fills your living space with the complexities of the each blend. A typical centuries old dragon’s blood blend , for example, consists of hundreds of different resins and compounds. It’s impossible to experience characteristics of dragon’s blood if you aren’t burning the real stuff. Hand rolled incense is an effective way to experience the wonders of the aromatic journey. Allow the warm notes, subtle undertones, and exotic aromas to waft through the air and envelope you. Whether you are seeking earthy agarwoods, spicy saffron, smooth sandalwoods, bright cleansing scents, smoky musk or the uplifting freshness of champa, quality hand rolled agarbattis help bring these fragrances to life.
Quality Makes the Difference
I go through a great deal of research and analysis regarding the incense I select for the shop. I don’t believe in just putting stuff on the shelf just to make a buck.
7Shadows Market carries hand rolled varieties from top brands such as Satya, Goloka, Kamini and Song of India. There are a couple of other popular “hand rolled” brands out there, but I have found the quality to be substandard. I am always seeking different blends that I feel will be welcome additions to your lifestyle. I won’t sell it if I won’t burn it.
For more information on the incense varieties available at 7Shadows Market, check out my Incense Page
Thank you for your support.
Have a blessed day.
DW
Owner
7Shadows Market
You must be logged in to post a comment.