Crottendorfer are a German incense-cone manufacturer based in Crottendorf since 1936. They make cones and German-smokers (or Räuchermen) in the same style as Knox, though they are not as long established nor as successful. They use charcoal and sandalwood for the cones, and potato starch as a binder. Interesting. That may have something to do with the origin of Crottendorfer as a small scale kitchen production.
Burning incense cones (or "candles" as they appear to be called in Germany) is very popular at Christmas time in Germany, with various delightful cone holders in the form of wooden figures (German-smokers) and pyramids and arches. It is thought the tradition dates back to the Celtic or Pagan Rauhnacht, a period of transition in winter when the doors to the spiritual world were open so spirits could walk in the world. Incense was burned to keep spirits away. When Christianity arrived in Germany, the tradition continued though had Christian elements added. It was common for groups of three men to go from door to door as the Three Wise Men, blessing each house with incense smoke, and then marking the door in chalk with C+M+B for Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. That tradition continues with the "blessing of the chalk" in Catholic churches. The Räuchermann tradition is thought to have started in the Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge) in the 1800s when miners turned their hand to making wooden toys, including the incense smokers.
Because of the strong Christmas association with incense cones in Germany, most of the scents have some connection with Christmas or winter.
Reviews
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Feb 2025 - Score: 32 |
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| Original Crottendorfer Adventsduft (Scent of Advent) Apr 2025 - Score: 29 |
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| Original Crottendorfer Weihnachtsduft (Christmas Scent) Apr 2025 - Score: 28 |
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| Original Crottendorfer Waldmoos (Forest Moss) Apr 2025 - Score: 27 |
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| Original Crottendorfer Zimtapfel (Cinnamon Apple) Apr 2025 - Score: 25 |
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| Original Crottendorfer Waldhonig (Forest Honey) (P) Apr 2025 - Score: 24 |
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| Original Crottendorfer Tannenduft (Scent of Fir) Apr 2024 - Score: 24 |
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Feb 2025 - Score: 22 |
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| Original Crottendorfer Sandelholzduft (Sandalwood) May 2025 - Score: 20 |
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| Original Crottendorfer Winter-Orange Feb 2025 - Score: 12 |
Reviews: 10
Top score: 32
Top score: 32
Bottom score: 12
Average: 24
Conclusion: I am fascinated by the culture, history and tradition of German cones, including these Crottendorfer with potato starch as a binder. Sadly the cones are so mild, so quickly gone, and have such simple scents that they don't hold my interest.
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