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Sunday 20 October 2024

HEM Champa Black Natural Masala Incense

 


Export only Satya size box with an attractive black design picked out in silver. There's an image of Ganesh, the four armed elephant god, on the box.  This is a standard masala incense - something that HEM are not really associated with; they are mostly associated with perfumed incense, and are the leading exporter of such incense. They have increased their range of masala incenses, and are possibly looking to compete with Satya - globally the best known producer of masala incense.  There is a Hem Champa - this is a Black variation.  Champa tends to refer to floral incense - usually plumeria or frangipani.  There isn't a black plumeria, but there are some very dark reds that are named black, such as Blackjack. I assume the Black in the name is suggestive of mood and style rather than an actual flower, such as Blackjack. The name and presentation is rather cool and stylish. I like it. 

Standard size stick - 8 inches with 6 inches of charcoal paste hand-rolled onto a plain bamboo splint. The scent is kinda similar to the Ullas Traditions of India I've just been burning. The scents are not the same - the Ullas is sharper, richer, and less sweet - but there is a similarity. This falls into the modern perfumed masalas that are becoming more common and more popular, and which are exemplified by New Moon/Wonder Incense products. The scent on the stick is sweet and pleasant - floral, yet woody. That blend of wood and floral is generally quite successful, and has been used on some key Indian incenses, such as Sugandha Shringar and Satya Nag Champa. This Black has a modern perfumed soft vanilla and cologne scent, yet also has a foot in traditional Indian incense. 

As is common with scented incense, the fragrance on the burn is less sweet, less sharp, less bright, and with fewer top notes than the scent on the stick. There is an added warmth, though also the muddle of smoke. HEM are a very experienced and successful perfumed incense company, yet even they haven't yet developed a way of having burning perfume smell as good as the perfume on the stick. That said, I like the fragrance on the burn - just not as much as the fragrance on the stick. It diffuses attractively around the room, creating a warm mood of woods and deep florals. 


Date: Oct 2024  Score:  35
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