Bought on Temu as part of an attractive boxed set of 11 different fragrances for £8 (including the metal stick holder in the photo). They are no longer available in the same box marked Xiang Lian, but the same fragrances in the same tubes are sold on Temu, Shein, Amazon, and other places as the same set of 11, generally for around £8. This fragrance by itself is available in the UK from DylansDen for £2.00.
Ya Bai appears to translate as cedarwood, though I've also seen it translated as sandalwood. The scent on the burn is more cedarwood than sandalwood, so that's what I'm listing it as. [Updated now to "Taihang Thuja", commonly known as White Cedarwood] The wording at the bottom of every tube is (according to Google Lens) "Inheritance of Craftsmanship". There are around 40 thin dhoop sticks, each 8 inches long. The scent is gentle, woody, fresh, mildly tangy and outdoorsy, very pleasant. It's a simple scent, but attractively cleansing, and relaxing. This is OK stuff. I'm not wild about it, as I'm not one for simple woody scents, but it is decent stuff - no harsh notes. It comes over quite clean and pure. I'm happy to burn this as a room freshener, as a gentle cleansing smudge, or as a relaxing aid in the evening. It seems to be a flexible and agreeable incense - handy to have around. Excellent value, especially if you buy the 11 fragrance box.
Date: Mar 2025 Score: 31
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I think this is actually Thuja.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure why this other Thuja incense you reviewed is called "Chen Hua Ya Bai". It's very confusing.
https://dylansden.co.uk/products/taihang-thuja-incense-sticks-tai-hang-ya-bai?srsltid=AfmBOorUIJYQVd_FPty_SqeIPHKsxpHkRlKeJGAkOMCV-cFVH3McIJNb
Asian incense is so confusing as the translations vary. You are right, I've just translated it again with Google lens, and it says "Taihang Thuja". My understanding is that thuja is a cedarwood - a white cedarwood; however, "Taihang Thuja" is a more accurate and precise translation.
DeleteScientifically it is known as a "false cedar". Though the fragrance is that of cedar.
DeleteAsian incense and scientists confuse me!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_plants_known_as_cedar
True Cedars are pinaceae; Thujas are cupressaceae.
DeleteMany different trees are commonly called Cedar in English, which makes it extra confusing. Some are true cedars, others, like the California Incense Cedar or Western Red Cedar are cupressaceae, others are actually Juniper (Eastern Red Cedar).
I think many people, but especially Americans have a Cypress smell in mind when thinking "Cedar" - Cypress or Juniper.
German does a better job distinguishing them, but we have some silly thing with Spruce/Fir going on instead. XD