INCENSE INFORMATION

Shortly after discovering fire itself, cavemen would have recognized that burning certain woods and herbs gave off pleasant smells.

The history of incense can be traced back to the beginning of civilization. It doesn’t take much deductive reasoning to conclude that not too long after discovering fire itself, primitive man would have discovered that burning certain woods and herbs produced pleasant smells. Incense artifacts thousands of years old have been discovered throughout the world and appear to be a part of virtually every culture.

Due to the differences in locally available ingredients and differences in local knowledge and tools, many different types and forms of incense have emerged in different parts of the world. Over time, different cultures and regions became associated with their own incense blends and processes. For example, Cinnamon and Juniper incense are associated with Tibetan Monks, while Agarwood and Sandalwood incense are associated with the Japanese.

Though the preference has always been for using local ingredients and manufacturing methods, the different styles and forms of incense eventually spread around the world as ancient trade routes opened up and as people knowledgeable in the art of incense, particularly clergy and physicians, migrated to different areas.

Trading in incense materials was a major part of commerce along ancient trade routes such as the famous Silk Road and the Frankincense Trail. Now with the modern transportation infrastructure, one can purchase any of the many different styles and forms of incense available from anywhere in the world. Some of the many styles of incense are Japanese incense, Tibetan incense, and Indian incense, while some of the many forms of incense are powdered incense, stick incense, and cone incense.