Incense In The Wind

Burner Burner - Carhartt jacket incense burner

Incense Around The World




Incense is mainly made in India, which accounts for just over 55% of incense bought in the world. But other countries also make incense, and some have distinct styles of their own.



Argentina 

* Sagrada Madre  Founded in 2017. Also has a factory in Uruguay, and an outlet in the US. Very successful. 

Brazil 

* Inca Aromas  Brazilian company founded in 1993. Incense made in Brazil from local ingredients and recipes. Three scents tried. Average score: 42  


Burkina Faso 

Janawi (resin from Boswellia dalzielii) (R - Sep 2025): 40

China



Reviews: 32
Top score: 40
Bottom score:  02
Average: 24


Germany

* Knox  German firm founded around 1865 during the interest in Germany during the 19th century for burning incense cones as a disinfectant or medicine. The leading incense maker in Europe. Their cones are small, cheap, wood powder with synthetic perfume. Short lived, poor quality, and even poorer value for money. 8 scents reviewed, average score: 20
  
* Crottendorfer. A German incense-cone manufacturer based in Crottendorf since 1936. 10 reviews - average score 24. 


Greece

Mount  Athos IncenseGreek monastery resin blenders. Five reviews - average score 32

India


Top Companies:


* Satya: 37
* Goloka: 37
* Aromatika: 35
* Aargee Incense: 32
* GR International: 29
* Mahendra Perfumery Works: 26

Seraphim Incense. A modern herb based incense maker. 4 reviews - average score: 28


Japan 

Examples:
* Baieido Kobunboku Regular - Plum Blossom: 29
Nippon Morning Star Cedarwood: 28
Shoyeido Daigen-Koh (Great Origin): 22

Scents burned:  7
Top score: 29 
Bottom score: 22 
Average: 25 

Conclusion: I've not yet explored much Japanese incense, but what I have experienced hasn't encouraged me to explore further. I find Japanese incense to be quite dry and sombre, and with such a mild scent that it is easily overlooked. So far I've only tried the more reasonably priced incense, and even that I find expensive compared to incense from other countries. The packaging, though, is very attractive.


Malaysia




Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan


Companies reviewed: 8
High score: 35
Low score: 19
Average: 27

Pakistan

* Metro Agarbatti Company of Pakistan: 25


Peru 


Peruvian copal resin (R - Sep 2025): 31↑
Ispalla Incense Peru Palo Santo & Rosemary (P - Feb 2024): 21 


Scotland

Kemet Design Producer of Egyptian inspired loose incense (now closed). Three reviewed - average  score 19

Sri Lanka

Amritha Original: 36 
D'Las Aura Jasmine: 30 

Taiwan

Bosen Pythoncidere Incense: 19

Thailand

Balarama Enterprises Thailand: Nineteen scents reviewed - average score 30 
Ancient Wisdom - UK wholesaler (Unknown maker): Twelve packs reviewed - average score 24
* Juicy Jay's - American brand (Unknown maker - possibly Balarama): Five scents reviewed - average score 21
Windhorse - UK wholesaler (Unknown maker): One pack reviewed - score 21 
Noppamass: One scent reviewed - score 16
Salco Sky Aromatherapy - Defunct UK wholesaler (Unknown maker): One pack reviewed - score 11 

United Arab Emirates



United States

New Age Imports American company founded 1995. Incense is made for them in California by Native Americans. One scent tried, Artisan Five Elements. Score: 41
Sage Spirit Made in America by Native Americans. Five scents reviewed. Average score: 26 
Escential Essences (Matchless Gifts own brand)   Possibly made in California by Sage Spirit. Three scents reviewed. Average score: 24 
Gonesh Made in America since 1921 by a family of Lithuanian immigrants. One scent tried, Extra Rich Amber. Score: 23 
Juicy Jay  American company, selling their branded incense since 2013. Incense is made in Thailand - possibly by Balarama. Five scents tried. Average score: 21 
* Wild Berry. American company founded 1971. Sticks probably made in Asia. Scents applied in USA.  Five scents tried. Average score: 20 


Vietnam

Vuong Kim Thanh One scent reviewed. Score: 27↓
Loc Thanh: One scent reviewed. Score:  17↓ 


Yemen

Pure Yemen - a young company based in Yemen who make resin-on-a-stick style incense. Three reviews. Score: 37



Countries explored: 24 

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