Incense has been burned for various reasons, for medicine, ritual, religion, meditation, relaxation, insect repellant, etc, for thousands of years in the East, and has been used, mainly for religious purposes, in the West as well, though on a smaller scale. In the Seventies hippies, coming back from the hippy trail to India, brought with them joss sticks. A new market opened for the thousands of small scale incense makers in India, and some, such as Satya, struck lucky and became very popular. Incense is now fairly commonplace in the West, and is increasingly being found not just in old hippy and New Age shops, but in hardware stores and corner shops. But which of the brands you see are the best?
This list is split into those companies (mostly based in the East) who make their own incense (the producers) and those companies (mostly in the West) who distribute Eastern made incense under their own brand name. There is no difference in quality between producers and distributors, though producers tend to be cheaper, and there is an ethical honesty about buying direct from the producers that I like, so I tend to prefer buying incense sold under the producers own name - though some distributors work with very small producers who are unable (or unwilling) to market themselves. However, the downside of buying from such distributors is that the producers they work with don't always grant them exclusive rights to the scents they are selling, so - as with some Happy Hari scents, they can be sold by another distributor under a different name.
This list is split into those companies (mostly based in the East) who make their own incense (the producers) and those companies (mostly in the West) who distribute Eastern made incense under their own brand name. There is no difference in quality between producers and distributors, though producers tend to be cheaper, and there is an ethical honesty about buying direct from the producers that I like, so I tend to prefer buying incense sold under the producers own name - though some distributors work with very small producers who are unable (or unwilling) to market themselves. However, the downside of buying from such distributors is that the producers they work with don't always grant them exclusive rights to the scents they are selling, so - as with some Happy Hari scents, they can be sold by another distributor under a different name.
Note, I am transferring this list from my incense blog IncenseInTheWind to this general AnyBlogDotCom blog, and I need to update it and put in more incense companies. Check back for updates.
Top Ten
Producers
Number One
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| Satya Indian producer |
Satya Sai Baba is the brand name used by the Indian incense company Shrinivas Sugandhalaya of Bangalor, which was founded in 1964 by Shri Satyam Setty from small premises in Mumbai. It has expanded to now employ approximately 2,500 workers in manufacturing facilities in Bangalore and Mumbai. Their incense sticks and cones are high quality; hand-rolled from a masala of crushed fragrant ingredients around a charcoal base. The company use halmaddi, a traditional fragrant resin, though the use has changed or declined over the years. They make the world's most famous and acclaimed incense, Satya Nag Champa.
Top scents: Satya Sai Baba Nag Champa Agarbatti (50); Satya Natural (42); Satya Harmony (36); Satya Supreme (35); Stamford Midnight Calm (by Satya) (34); Satya Super Hit (33); Satya Aastha (30)
Scents reviewed: 7
Highest score: 50
Lowest score: 30
Average score: 37
Conclusion: There is a reason that Satya are both popular and acclaimed: they make quality incense in a traditional manner that people enjoy. They are not exciting - the scents sort of group together in a homogeneous whole with little difference between them; the packaging is amongst the most boring and unattractive on the planet, but they are reliable, producing consistently good products. Two of Satya's scents are in my top ten, and the Nag Champa is my No 1 incense - a real life changer. All of their scents, so far, I would be happy to buy again. Somehow, though, despite the quality, I don't rush to buy a new Satya scent because I somehow know how it will smell, so there is a lack of interest and curiosity. And if I am going to buy Satya, I might as well get the Nag Champa - job done. I will, however, slowly make my way through the range, seeing if they can surprise.
*****
Number Two
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| Goloka Indian producer |
Goloka was founded in 1997 in Bangalore, and is a non-profit trust which provides food and education for disadvantaged children, and training and assistance for women who have lost their husbands. Goloka are one of the leading Nag Champa brands - second after Satya (Shrinivas Sugandhalaya of Bangalore).
Scents reviewed: 8
Highest score: 48
Lowest score: 29
Average: 37
Conclusion: One of my favourite incense makers.
*****
Number Three
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| Aromatika Indian producer |
An Indian company based in Jaipur who have been making incense for over 30 years.
Top scents: Aromatika Ace Scents Dragon Blood (45); Aromatika Ace Scents Frankincense & Myrrh(40); Aromatika Ace Scents Opium (32); Aromatika Ace Scents Patchouli (32).
Scents reviewed: 5
Highest score: 45
Lowest score:
Average score: 35
Conclusion: I have only recently tried their products. Packaging is basic plastic bags, and the sticks are machine made and perfume dipped. Some of their products are not exciting - the base sandalwood paste dominating a little to much; but the perfumes are attractive enough, and at their best they are really quite delightful. I shall explore further.
*****
Number Four
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| Nandita Indian producer |
Nandita Fragrances of Mumbai offer a full range of incenses, including bakhoor and dhoop cups. They also do one of my favourite incenses, Nandita Wood Spice, so I am keen to explore further. The company was founded by Sri. K.Y. Acharya (1928-2010), and is based in Mumbai, with a retail store in Udupi, where Acharya was born.
Top scents: Nandita Wood Spice (49); Nandita Black Gold (35); Nandita Organic Nag Champa (33)
Incenses reviewed: 5
Highest score: 45
Lowest score: 28
Average: 36
Conclusion: I want to explore this company further.
*****
Number Five
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| Moksh Agarbatti |
Moksh Agarbatti of Bangalore was founded in 1996 and makes Swarna Champa, a brand it is proud of, but which doesn't appear to be available in the UK. It claims to be the "world's largest selling agarbatties", with over 35 different fragrances, which they advertise on TV in India - here's a Moksh TV Advert from April 2015. They have three manufacturing unites in Bangalore.
All the sticks I have tried so far have been reasonably pleasant everyday perfume dipped charcoal sticks. Not special for meditation or for guests, but decent everyday stuff to brighten up and freshen a room.
Top scents: Moksh Swarna Divya Sugandh (39); Moksh Swarna Champa (36); Moksh Akash Phool (33); Moksh Swarna Gulab (35); Moksh Swarna RajaniGandha (33)
Incense reviewed: 9
Highest score: 39
Lowest score: 22
Average: 31
Conclusion: I am happy to use Moksh for my everyday incense
*****
Number Six
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| Hari Om Fragrance Indian producer |
Hari Om Fragrance was founded in 1990 in Bangalore. They copy existing popular brands such as Moksh, Sugandha Swarna, and Sri Sai Flora, but also have their own brands which are well established, such as Sai Bhajan, and some scents which appear to be original and quite divine, such as Hari Om Tez. The quality of packaging is very good, and the incenses, be they perfume-dipped or masala, are also all of a good standard.
Top scents: Hari Om 12/- Tez (40); Hari Om Vishwa Sai (Fluxo Incense) (35); Hari Om Fluxo Incense (34); Hari Om Divine Incense Butmogra (32); Hari Om 12/- Pankudi (31)
Scents reviewed: 13
Highest score: 40
Lowest Score: 20
Average score: 30
Conclusion: They seem to be a good representative of the Indian incense market, as they carry a wide range of scents and types of incense, including masala and perfume-dipped, mainly aimed at the domestic market. They are, essentially, the quintessence of domestic Indian incense.
*****
Number Seven
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SAC (Sandesh)/GR International Indian producer |
The Sandesh Agarbathi Company (SAC) was founded in 1970 by D.N.P. Guptha in Bangalore, the centre of India's incense industry. They started as a cottage industry, but are now a significant exporter around the world, with over 250 different incense products, many of which are listed on the American retail site Incense OnTheWay. The company is a member of the All India Agarbathi Manufactures Association. Products are mostly everyday perfume-dipped. Quite competent. They also do several acceptable masala.
Top scents: SAC Atma Darshan Flora (masala - 34); SAC FrankIncense Myrrh (masala - 33); SAC Patchouli (cone - 33); SAC Jasmine (32); SAC Champa (32); SAC Rose (30)
Highest score: 34
Lowest score: 20
Average score: 29
A decent everyday incense company who make cheap perfume-dipped and masala incense. I'm quite happy to explore further.
GR International is the same company as SAC so I'm keeping them together (it's cool that I gave them the same score!)
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| GR International |
Top scents: GR International Sandalo (42); GR International Fengshui Earth (33); GR International Strawberry (32); GR International Eucalyptus (32): GR International Fengshui Metal (32): GR International Tangerine (30)
Scents reviewed: 10
Highest score: 42
Lowest score:
Average score: 29
Conclusion: A typical perfume dipped incense maker, but I tend to like some of their products - not hugely, the scores are usually around 32, but enough to keep an interest. I especially like their Sandalwood cones. I'll keep on exploring their products to see if they have another one that I enjoy as much as the Sandalo.
*****
Number Eight
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| Ranga Rao (Flute) Indian producer |
N. Ranga Rao & Sons Exports of Mumbai have been selling incense since 1948, and export to 60 countries. They use Flute, Cycle, Lia and Angel brand names, and also make Woods and Rhythm brand incense.
Listed as Number One brand in India in January 2019.
Scents reviewed: 6
Highest: 40
Lowest: 24
Average: 28
*****
Number Nine
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| Mysore Sugandhi Indian producer |
The Mysore Sugandhi Dhoop Factory of Bangalore was formed in 1934, and claims to be the first exporter of incense from India - their name means the fragrant incense factory of Mysore, and their Chandon Dhoop was made under the patronage of the Maharaja of Mysore.
They provide some incense for Aargee - the Aargee tube series are regular Sugandhi products under a different wrapper.
Scents reviewed: 7
High score: 33
Low score: 22
Average: 27
Conclusion: Everything I have tried by Sungandhi so far has been perfume dipped, but highly scented, making them moderately attractive, even if somewhat limited.
*****
Number Ten
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| Mahendra / Betco Indian producer |
Mahendra Perfumery Works of Bangalore were formed in 1921. Betco International is their export division.
Top scents: Betco Hanuman (35); Mahendra Bhajan (33); Betco Saraswathi (33); Betco Bouquet (31); Mahendra Arora (30); Betco Rose (30)
Scents reviewed: 10
Top score: 35
Low score: 17
Average: 26
Conclusion: A well established perfume-dipped incense maker who make pleasant enough products for everyday use. While nothing special, the scents are a little better than average. I'll continue to explore.
*****
Number Eleven
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Sage Spirit
Native American producer
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Sage Spirit are a company founded in 1995 by a Native American tribe, the Jicarilla Apache, who live on the Jicarilla reservation in New Mexico, not far from the border with Colorado. Burning sage smudge sticks is part of Native American rituals, and the company make and sell traditional sage smudges, but have also branched out into making Asian style perfume-dipped incense sticks.
Top scents: Blue Corn Flower (38); Cedar (36)
Scents reviewed: 5
Highest score: 38
Lowest score: 16
Average: 26
Highest score: 38
Lowest score: 16
Average: 26
Conclusion: I went overboard with Sage Spirit when I first burned them. Then I felt I had over-rated them, and scored them down. And then I felt that the scents, though soft, had a unique and delicate touch that actually I am quite fond of. At this point I don't know where I am with them. I guess I shall keep exploring them until I make up my mind!
*****
The Rest
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| Padmini Indian producer |
Padmini were founded in the 1960s. Apparently they became known in the US for their little dhoop sticks. The company is not that well established in the UK, though Aargee import the little dhoop sticks, Gold Statue and a few others.
Top scent: Gold Statue (34)
Scents reviewed: Three
Top score: 34
Low score: 25
Average: 29
Conclusion: A decent everyday perfumed incense producer.
*****
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| Metro Agarbatti Company of Pakistan Pakistan producer |
Top scents: Metro Rose (31); Metro Three in one (30)
Scents reviewed: 4
Highest score: 31
Lowest score:
Average score: 25
Conclusion: A modest though reasonably attractive basic perfume dipped incense maker.
*****
Darshan International of Bangalore was founded in 1987 by T. Srinivas, then carried on by his sons in 2000. They deal in perfume dipped sticks, cones and dhoops. Some Darshan TV ads: Black Stone,Black Stone 2, Black Stone 3, Black Stone, Bharath, Hari.
Conclusion: A maker of decent enough perfume-dipped everyday incense.
*****
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| Krishan Products of Mumbai Indian producer |
Scents reviewed: 4
Top score: 30
Low score: 20
Average: 25
Conclusion: A modest everyday basic perfume dipped incense maker.
German incense company, known for cones and wooden German smokers. Founded 1865. They have a manufacturing unit in Germany, but it is unclear if the cones are made there, or somewhere in India.
Scents reviewed: 2
High score: 30
Low score: 20
Average: 25
Conclusion: Not impressed so far, but the cones are cheap enough, and the company is famous, so I am willing to try a few more.
*****
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| Auroshika Incense Indian producer |
Incense company founded in 1973 in Pondicherry, India. The sticks are made from a handrolled charcoal base, then dipped in chemical perfume.
Top scents: None
Scents reviewed: 3
Average score: 24
Conclusion: None of the scents tried so far have really impressed, but they have been soft and reasonably pleasant. I am willing to explore further.
*****
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| HEM Corporation Indian producer |
The HEM Corporation has incense factories in Bangalore, Mumbai and Bhiwandi; it was founded in 1975, and is one of the largest incense companies in the world, with over 100 different incense products which are exported to over 50 countries around the world. Most people will have heard of HEM and tried their sticks. For some people, HEM will be their main or only knowledge of incense. The incense is all chemical based - the sticks are hand made by rolling a charcoal paste onto sticks, which are then dipped into chemical perfumes.
Top scents: HEM Frankincense-Myrrh (40); HEM Blueberry (36); HEM Cherry Vanilla (32); HEM Precious Mogra (Jasmine) (31); HEM Strawberry (30)
Scents rated: 23
Highest score: 40
Lowest score: 8
Average score: 25
Conclusion: Not my favourite incense make by any means; they are inconsistent, and can make some vile chemical based "floral" scents, but at their best they can produce some cheap and attractive scents suitable for everyday burning. I am inclined against them, but will succumb to cheap deals, and I'm sometimes surprised by how much I enjoy some scents.
*****
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| Gopal Joie incense Indian producer |
The Gopal Group, which sells tobacco, chemicals, industrial perfume, etc, was formed in 1942. They have incense factories in Delhi, Bangalore and Baddi.
Top scents: Joie Sea Breeze (31)
Scents reviewed: 9
Highest score: 31
Lowest score:
Average score: 22
Conclusion: Not a company I am interested in buying from, but I will continue to keep an open mind.
*****
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| Tulasi Incense (Sarathi International) Indian producer |
Sarathi International, trading as Tulasi, have incense sticks available from a number of UK internet sites, such as the Asian Cookshop and Incense Essentials, either in hex boxes of 20 or square boxes of 8 sticks for an average cost of around 5p a stick. They produce decent enough scents, and are a fairly consistent if largely unexciting incense company. The sticks tend to be of modest size, and are hand rolled from charcoal paste onto dyed sticks and then perfume dipped. Nothing exciting, but they are cheap, and tend to turn up on market stalls and hardware stores.
I was recently encouraged to try the Tulasi Vidwan, which turned out to be a traditional masala incense - while it's not one of the best, it is a proper job incense. Nice one.
The company was founded in 1945 as a small family business, and has grown to an operation employing over 300 people from a modern 75,000 square ft factory in Bangalore - which it claims is the largest incense factory in Bangalore. The company exports to 45 countries worldwide.
Top scents: Tulasi Vidwan (34); Tulasi Frankincense (30)
Scents reviewed: 18
Highest score: 34
Lowest score: -1
Average score: 20
Conclusion: Mid to lower end everyday perfume-dipped charcoal incense. Nothing special - some scents work OK, others less so, and some are awful. Not a company I was interested in exploring further, until I was turned on to the Vidwan. Now I shall keep an open mind on this, and other incense companies.
*****
Distributors
These companies do not make incense but commission it and sell it under their own brand name. Some distributors, such as Gokula and Happy Hari, use the same producers as sources. They are not producers themselves, but they serve a useful function of supporting local producers, and bringing either quality or cheap incense into the UK, Europe, and America.
Number One
Scents reviewed: 7
Number Two
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| Gokula Incense UK importer and distributor of Indian incense |
Scents reviewed: 7
Highest: 45
Lowest: 30
Average: 40
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| Happy Hari's Incense UK importer and distributor of Indian incense (Ceased Trading Dec 2017) |
Scents reviewed: 8
Highest: 48
Lowest: 28
Average: 38
Conclusion: Paul Eagle found a quality incense maker, and for over 20 years imported decent incense into the UK. I have enjoyed the incenses I have tried - they are certainly above average, and I am now attempting to grab those scents I haven't yet tried, and to buy a few packets of those scents I like.
***
Number Three
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| Aargee Incense UK importer and distributor of Indian incense |
British based company founded in 1978. They don't directly make incense, but import it, and have incense made for them under several brand names including Stamford, and Imperial. They use a range of incense companies, including Goloka, Tulasi, Padmini, and Satya (Shrinivas Sugandhalaya). The quality is as variable as the intended markets, but includes some of the best incense made, and never sinks very low.
Top scents: Stamford Chakra Ajna (Third Eye) (42); Stamford Chakra Muladhara Root (40); Aargee Imperial Bharat Mata Bouquet Fragrance (39); Aargee Laxmi Pooja (38) ; Stamford Midnight Calm (by Satya) (34); Aargee Patchouli (33); Aargee Imperial Raja Rani Lavender Fragrence (33); Ganesh Flora by Aargee (32); Stamford Earth Angel (32); Stamford Magic Angel (31); Aargee Jasmine (30)
Scents reviewed: 25
Highest score: 42
Lowest score:
Average score: 32
Conclusion: A consistently reliable company. At their best an Aargee brand incense will be amongst the very best incense in the world. At their worse, a decent incense that may not inspire, but will be worth buying again.
*****
Number four
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| Sifcon International UK importer and distributor of Indian incense |
UK based Sifcon International company are a wholesalers dealing in household goods. They import a range of incense sticks and cones, such as Bhagvati Ppure, plus unbranded incense which they have packaged for themselves.
Scents rated: 10
Top score: 40
Low score: 21
Average: 31
*****
Number five
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| Tree of Life UK importer of Asian incense |
UK brand started in 1990, taken over by Cha Cha Dum Dum, who closed in 2018. The brand is up for sale. The packets claim to be made in the UK, but the style and quality is more indicative of Asian manufacture - possibly Vietnam.
Incense reviewed: 5
High score: 33
Low score: 20
Average: 28
Conclusion: Decent enough everyday incense.
*****
Number six
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| One Aromatics UK importer and distributor of Indian incense |
Scents reviewed: 6
Highest: 33
Lowest: 10
Average: 24
Conclusion: The Auroville community is interesting, so I'd like to explore more incense from them. These One Aromatics are not impressive, but at their best they are decent everyday scents - but they can also be a little crude and harsh.
*****
Number seven
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| Juicy Jay's Thai Incense Sticks USA importer and distributor |
The Juicy Jays company was founded in America in the late 1990s to sell flavoured cigarette papers, and a few years ago - probably 2013, launched their incense series. The aromas have tempting names such as Orange Overload, Funkincense, and Apple Brown Betty. They are cheap and made in Thailand.
Scents reviewed: 5
Highest score: 23
Lowest score: 18
Average: 21
Conclusion: Not a company I'm interested in buying again, though the incense is not evil.
*****
Number eight
Number eight
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| Ancient Wisdom UK importer and distributor of Indian and Vietnam incense |
Top scents: Ancient Wisdom Red Dragon Incense Tibetan Musk (31)
Scents rated: 8
Highest score: 31
Lowest score: 19
Average score: 22
Conclusion: One of my least favourite incense companies
*****
Number nine
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| Wild Berry USA importer and distributor |
Top scents: None
Scents rated: 5
Average score: 20
Conclusion: Not impressed so far, but as I've only experienced five sticks, I am open to trying again
EmporiumUK.biz are a UK based importing business. They distribute incense, and also have their own brands which are made in India and Thailand. Among the brands they own are the nasty Divine Spirit and the cheap small Spiritual Sky. They have an incense factory in Calcutta.
Top scents: None
Incense tried: 8
Highest score: 25
Lowest score: 9
Average score: 17
Conclusion: Mostly cheap and nasty, but at their best they can be harmless.
***
***
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You guys seem to have a much different incense selection in the UK. Many of these brands aren't even available in the USA.
ReplyDeleteThis is true. There are some brands we have in common - the majors: HEM and Satya for example, which are imported into both countries, but the importing of other brands is fairly random. Both countries will tend to have their own importers, so what gets imported into the US will not necessarily be what gets imported into the UK. And what does get imported is only a fraction of the brands that are available in India and other incense producing countries.
ReplyDeleteAlso, both countries have importers who apply their own brand. Juicy Jay is an American importer who put their own brand name on cheap incense they import from Thailand. Thailand doesn't make quality incense, and it can be bought in bulk very cheap. Very cheap! Go to my Facebook incense page and make a general enquiry about bulk incense prices - you'll suddenly get a lot of private messages, and while you can get stunningly cheap incense from India, it is even cheaper from Thailand. If you have WhatsApp you can have a quick chat and get a brilliant deal on a container load. The real cost, though, is the transport. And then where do you store a container load of incense!
If you have the storage space, and the energy, the real money in incense is not retail but wholesale. Importing and trying to sell retail can lead to cash flow problems such as Paul Eagle of Happy Hari found out.
Now closed, the best American blog on incense was olfactoryrescueservice. It can still be viewed, and the information there would still be somewhat useful to an American. It had something of a cult following.
There are a couple of incense Facebook groups that are predominantly American, and they have more up to date information. And because they include sellers, some great deals can be arranged.