I've been curious about Phool for a little while, as there's been a buzz of interest in them because of their sustainability marketing, especially the re-using of temple flowers. So I was pleased to get a box of 40 cones from aavyaa for ₹290.00 (approx. £2.90) with free shipping. The using of temple flowers in incense is becoming popular, Kailapira do it with Alaknanda and others, and Ranga Rao do it with their excellent Pushkarini. In my limited experience, the use of temple flowers is not mainly for the scent, but as part of the burning material as the crushed petals contain carbon elements, though when the petal powder is blended with oils, it can assist the aroma.
These cones contain crushed sweet acacia, crushed bollygum (known as jigat, the powder is used as a binder), crushed roses, crushed coconut shells (in place of charcoal), and rose water for scent. I like that the ingredients are listed. There is also the date on which they were made (Dec 2022), and advice that the cones are best used within 18 months.
The box is attractive and well made, with a pull out drawer containing the 40 cones in a plastic bag. Most of the information on the bottom of the box is about how Sacred, Ethical, and Humane the company are. Inside is a piece of hand printed seed paper which can be planted, with the promise that seedlings will sprout in 2 to 3 weeks. Cool.
The scent on the cones are not pleasant - a mix of aromas, much of which is reminiscent of cabbage water, though there are other oddities as well, some of which are more acceptable than others - there's chalk, plant matter, and some rose. Things don't really approve on the burn. The scent is rose, but it's not clean nor is it heady. and it is blurred with the smoky output of burning plants, rather like burning some garden waste.
I wouldn't say these cones are offensive, but I don't find them appealing. Too smoky; some unattractive scents blended in with a modest perfumed rose. It's quite intrusive and overbearing.
Date: Sept 2023 Score: 20
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| Phool Incense |
That's what I hate about phool incense. All of them have that strange smell in them. I only liked phool oudh and pool Hargis. I also liked phool nag champa but wouldn't call it a nag champa because it has that typical champa incense smell like Moksh
ReplyDeleteI find Ranga Rao's Cycle Brand Pushkarini to be a decent incense, and that also uses temple flowers. Perhaps its the way they process the flowers? Or some other ingredient they use. Though, fair play to Phool, they do list the ingredients on the side, and there doesn't appear to be anything worrying about the ingredients, so it is likely to be the processing method they use.
DeleteI loved Cycle Rhythm Pushkarini. I heard that Cycle was the first one to make incense from temple flowers but they didn't advertise it. Nirmalaya also makes incenses from temple flowers and so far I loved tulsi, jasmine, sandalwood, oud, serene, spices and sambrani cups.
DeleteI loved Cycle Rhythm Pushkarini. I heard that Cycle was the first one to make incense from temple flowers but they didn't advertise it. Nirmalaya also makes incenses from temple flowers and so far I loved tulsi, jasmine, sandalwood, oud, serene, spices and sambrani cups.
ReplyDelete