Lesson 1Interactions between ingredients: how resins, woods, herbs, and essential oils combine to create top, middle, and base notesUnderstand how resins, woods, herbs, and aromatic oils interact to form top, middle, and base notes. Learn to balance volatility, intensity, and persistence so your incense opens gracefully, develops complexity, and finishes with a stable drydown, perfect for local indoor settings.
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, greenClassify natural aromatics into scent families such as woody, resinous, floral, citrus, herbal, spicy, and green. Learn how these families guide blend design, cultural associations, and how to combine them to create coherent incense themes inspired by South African traditions.
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)Learn how to identify trustworthy sources for botanicals, resins, woods, and oils, considering local South African suppliers. We cover certifications, origin, storage, and visual and aromatic clues that reveal freshness, purity, and common signs of adulteration or mishandling.
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 flowersSurvey widely used incense botanicals, including classic resins, fragrant woods, herbs, peels, spices, and flowers available in South Africa. Learn their key aromatic profiles, cultural uses, and how they behave when heated or burned in different incense formats.
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 gumsStudy the main natural binders and combustible bases that hold incense together and control burn, adapted for humid South African conditions. Compare makko, joss powder, charcoal, and gums for adhesion, smoke level, ignition ease, and how they influence scent clarity and stability.
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 in terms of production, solubility, volatility, and safety. Understand which formats work best in loose incense, sticks, cones, and pastes without overpowering or weakening the blend, considering local availability.
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 behaviorExplore how particle size, milling methods, and mesh grades affect blending, airflow, and burn rate in South African humidity. Learn to select and prepare wood powders and powdered resins that support even combustion, stable aroma release, and clean ash formation.
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
