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| Second review - scroll down for earlier |
I recently reviewed Papier d'Armenie Rose, a French fragranced paper, which put me in mind of this traditional Peru paper incense, and this pack from Sacred Essence came to hand quite easily. They don't have much in common, other than using (fairly quickly consumed) paper as the combustible. Oh, yes, and neither are actually that good as incense. I found the Papier d'Armenie to have the more attractive scent, though the burn was over in a flash. Indeed, I was way too generous in my score last time, as I like this way less than the Papier. Indeed, on this visit I found it way too heady for a house in winter, and had to put it outside.
I do like hunting down unusual incenses from around the world, so I am a little more pre-disposed to this Peruvian incense than yet another jasmine incense from an own brand trader, but the actual pleasure from the burning experience is dubious. Score dropped.
I do like hunting down unusual incenses from around the world, so I am a little more pre-disposed to this Peruvian incense than yet another jasmine incense from an own brand trader, but the actual pleasure from the burning experience is dubious. Score dropped.
Date: Jan 2026 Score: 24
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| First review |
Bought from the UK site Sacred Essence for around £4 for 6 sticks, Incienso Sahumerio is made in Peru by local artisans from paper paste infused with the fruit of saw palmetto (which has known medicinal uses), palo santo, copal, and "local Peruvian herbs". According to internet sources sahumerio means something like "perfuming with incense", and will be composed of local herbs and woods, with no particular fixed recipe. Some sahumerio appear to be similar to smudges, and appear to follow the same rituals and uses. There also appears to be an affinity with Himalayan incense where the ritual or healing properties of the herbs are considered more important than the aesthetic fragrance.
The scent is mild, neutral, not unpleasant, but not aesthetic. Some smouldering herb notes. This is an incense to burn for any potential therapeutic effects rather than for the pleasure of the fragrance. Having said that, there will likely be people who enjoy the scent. It produces little smoke, so is a low key smudge. It is a delicate and peaceful experience more akin to burning Japanese incense than Himalayan. The chunky stick burns quicker than I expected for the size, but it is fairly light. It does remind me of chewed up blotting paper.
I'm not giving this a high score because the fragrance and therapeutic effects (for me) are very mild; however, I do love exploring incense like this, and it makes a refreshing change from the standard Indian joss stick, so I have enjoyed the experience, and that will be reflected in my score.
I'm not giving this a high score because the fragrance and therapeutic effects (for me) are very mild; however, I do love exploring incense like this, and it makes a refreshing change from the standard Indian joss stick, so I have enjoyed the experience, and that will be reflected in my score.
Date: September 2025 Score: 30
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Interesting! I've never seen incense in this style before!
ReplyDeleteI'd not seen or heard about it either, which is why I bought some. When doing a bit of research, the examples I saw looked more like smudge sticks. These sticks sold here in the UK are the only ones I've seen which are made from paper sludge (or whatever it is they have used). There are going to be examples like this sold in the US. But I would have to use a VPN browser set to the US to be able to do a proper search. You'll find it easier.
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