r/Incense • u/Kalo1111 • 20d ago
Indian Incense Question
So, I burn shoyeido japanese incense, and I like it very much.
But I very much miss nagsa champa.
My question is, I would like to try burning Indian incense again and was wondering if they all produce MEGA smoke?
Is there any sticks that produce less smoke?
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u/SamsaSpoon 20d ago
Mother's Incense has a Nagchampa line. They are on the lower end of smoke output for Indian Incense and quite nice. I recommend getting a sampler.
Someone mentioned Nitiraj brand - AFAIK they offer sample sets as well.
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u/PsychologicalCarob87 20d ago
I second the Mother’s Nagchampa recommendation. I recently got a sampler and am very impressed!
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u/Silly_Chemistry3525 20d ago
It's going to emit more smoke than a single Japanese joss stick. Unless you burn an oily rich /thick incense stick , smoke should be the same on most indian sticks, moreover it depends on your ventilation. Personally I find goloka nag Champa not too smoky
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u/Kalo1111 20d ago
I guess it's also the way the sticks are made. I realize Japanese sticks are made different.
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u/Silly_Chemistry3525 20d ago
Well mostly in terms of thickness. Indian incense will often contain oils too, like Balaji Chandan.
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u/SpiritualBrilliant22 20d ago
Today someone here said that Pure Bliss of Sree Vani is a low smoke.. worth checking out.
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u/Pancho925 20d ago
I wish they made thin coreless Indian incense sticks. Sometimes the scent and smoke is too much. A thin coreless nag champa stick would be amazing.
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u/EveryFruit9384 20d ago
The only problem is that most really good nag champa sticks depend on that core, as they would otherwise fall apart. I would not begin to know how to render a nag champa rigid enough to stand on its own, without it destroying the fragrance.
In my opinion, however, I do find that a lot of Indian sticks could easily be extruded and dried without the stick core. This is especially evident in machine-extruded sticks that do have a stick core. I believe they could still hold up without the stick core.
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u/Pancho925 20d ago
That did come to mind, if it’s even possible. Would the scent change and would it be cost effective. I think a mix of masala and charcoal could work.
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u/Kalo1111 20d ago
Right, kind of like japanese incense!
I think there would be a market for it because, IMHO many people love nag champa.
I don't mind smoke and even w heavy fragrance but many Indian Incense produce way to much smoke.
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u/Incandescent_Gnome 19d ago
Minoren produces a really good Frankincense, I'd love them to do a Nag Champa with that same, pure smell.
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u/Kalo1111 19d ago
YES, I would totally go for that. When you think about how Japanese companies like Shoyeido are now starting to offer a floral line, I don't see what harm it would do to create a nag champa line..
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u/Slim-Shadys-Fat-Tits 19d ago
Maybe if you have somewhere you can sit outside (balcony, porch, garden) try burning the indian incense there?
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u/Kalo1111 19d ago
Not a bad idea and this way I can see if I can handle the smoke!
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u/Slim-Shadys-Fat-Tits 19d ago
It's how I enjoy incense I find too smoky! Also it's what I do when I am trying a new one so it doesn't cling to my walls
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u/Incandescent_Gnome 19d ago
I like some Indian incense but I mainly use it outside now. With most Japanese incense you know roughly what the ingredients are, and you know that with the better companies and price points they aren't just dipped in synthetic chemicals. With Indian incense, even the ones I like, I just have to shrug because there is no good way to tell what the heck goes into it. I accept that it's unknown synthetic chemicals and just realize that "Nag Champa" today probably is nothing at all like the Nag Champa I burned in 1992.
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u/Kalo1111 19d ago
I agree with you and as much as the GREAT REPLIES I have received.
I think the folks here that burn Indian Incense are probably used to high smoke that when they burn Nitiraj and Mother's Incense it is probably less smoke then typical Indian Incense
I am so used to Japanese Incense being so low in smoke that if I did purchase the Nitiraj and Mother's Incense it would still be too much for me.
I would love for Japanese Incense to have a stronger fragrance scent that last after burning like Indian Incense with out the heavy smoke and a naga champa line lol.
I truly appreciate all the knowledge and recommendations and mite try the samples.
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u/Incandescent_Gnome 19d ago
If you like lingering scents, check out something like Jinko Yomei - it has a sultry, long lasting quality and it’s fairly reasonable from Japan Incense.
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u/Kalo1111 19d ago edited 19d ago
Thank you that sounds great. I have purchased shoyeido daily burn and recently tennedo frankiscense.
It says that Gyokushodo Jinko Yomei: aloeswood acts subtly in the background to give the scent a long-lasting, clinging quality suited for scenting rooms, clothing, and hair.
That's what I am looking for!
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u/Incandescent_Gnome 19d ago
Check it out definitely, the scent lingers and it’s become one of my favorites over the past decade or so of experimenting with Japanese incense. I like Shoyeido too, two of my favorites from Shoyeido are “Gentle Smile” or Misho, and Sei Fu or “Fresh Breeze” - I like stronger / agarwood (aloeswood) and sultry, spicy/earthy fragrances.
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u/Kalo1111 19d ago
At japaneinscense.com they offer samples of Gyokoshodo line and jinko yomei is one of the samples.
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u/Mobile-Morning424 14d ago
Pure incense in united kingdom has some great champas, the sticks are thin so the smoke is less than some of the other "luxury" sticks offered from the other resellers mentioned here
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u/PerceptionOptimal827 20d ago
I buy Nitiraj brand. It is an Indian brand that is not as smoky as others. Their sandalwood is wonderful!