Lesson 1Interactions between ingredients: how resins, woods, herbs, and essential oils combine to create top, middle, and base notesGrasp how resins, woods, herbs, and aromatic oils interact to produce top, middle, and base notes. Master balancing volatility, intensity, and lasting power so your incense unfolds smoothly, gains depth, and ends with a steady drydown.
Defining top, middle, and base notesPairing resins with woods and herbsUsing oils to lift or deepen blendsManaging intensity and diffusionBuilding a balanced incense accordLesson 2Classification of natural scent families: woody, resinous, floral, citrus, herbal, spicy, greenCategorise natural aromatics into scent families like woody, resinous, floral, citrus, herbal, spicy, and green. Understand how these families shape blend creation, cultural links, and combining them for unified incense themes.
Woody and resinous scent characteristicsFloral materials and their subfamiliesCitrus notes and freshness effectsHerbal and green tones in incenseSpicy notes for warmth and focusDesigning blends by scent familyLesson 3Sources and quality markers for raw botanicals, resins, woods, and essential oils (certifications, adulteration signs)Find out how to spot reliable sources for botanicals, resins, woods, and oils. We discuss certifications, origins, storage, and visual plus aromatic indicators that show freshness, purity, and typical signs of adulteration or poor handling.
Evaluating suppliers and supply chainsReading certifications and safety documentsVisual and aromatic signs of freshnessDetecting common adulteration practicesStorage, transport, and shelf life careLesson 4Overview of common raw materials: resins (frankincense, myrrh, copal), woods (sandalwood, cedar), herbs, citrus peels, spices, and flowersReview popular incense botanicals, including traditional resins, scented woods, herbs, peels, spices, and flowers. Learn their main aromatic traits, cultural applications, and performance when heated or burned in various incense types.
Key resin types and their scent profilesPopular aromatic woods and their rolesHerbs and leaves for nuance and liftUsing citrus peels without harshnessSpices for warmth, depth, and energyFlowers and petals in dry blendsLesson 5Natural binders and combustible bases: makko powder, joss powder, charcoal considerations, and vegetable gumsExamine primary natural binders and combustible bases that bind incense and manage burning. Compare makko, joss powder, charcoal, and gums for stickiness, smoke amount, easy lighting, and their effect on scent clearness and steadiness.
Makko powder properties and handlingJoss powder roles in stick incenseCharcoal as a neutral burn baseVegetable gums for binding pastesAdjusting binder ratios for textureTroubleshooting cracking or crumblingLesson 6Essential oils vs. absolute extracts vs. steam-distilled oils: properties, volatility, and suitability for incenseCompare essential oils, absolutes, and steam-distilled extracts regarding production, solubility, volatility, and safety. Know which types suit loose incense, sticks, cones, and pastes without dominating or diluting the blend.
How essential oils are producedWhat defines an absolute extractSteam distillation vs other methodsVolatility, flash point, and burn profileChoosing formats for different incense typesLesson 7Fine-particle raw materials: wood powders, powdered resins, and milling/mesh grades and their impact on burning behaviorInvestigate how particle size, milling techniques, and mesh grades influence blending, airflow, and burn speed. Select and prepare wood powders and powdered resins for uniform burning, steady aroma release, and neat ash.
Common incense wood powders and usesPreparing and grinding resins safelyUnderstanding mesh grades and labelsEffects of particle size on burn rateBlending coarse and fine powdersScreening, sifting, and de-clumping
