Incense is made by kneading aromatic ingredients, water, and tabu powder together.
Once kneaded, the mixture becomes clay-like and can be shaped in various forms.
Although the shaping process differs from how commercial incense is made, we’ll show you a simple method for making stick-type incense.
Materials and Tools Needed
Tips
- In addition to the tools above, prepare a container for mixing (such as a bowl or mortar) and a spoon.
- Since powders can scatter in strong wind, work in a wind-free environment.
- The basic ratio of aromatic ingredients to tabu powder is 4:6 to 5:5.
How to Make Incense
Add aromatic ingredients one at a time, then add tabu powder
Put the aromatic ingredients into a container one at a time, checking each scent as you go.
Mix thoroughly after each addition and smell the result.
*There is no fixed order for adding the ingredients.
Add water
Gradually add water to the mixed ingredients.
There’s no set amount of water, so add it little by little.
Adding too much water can make it prone to cracking during drying.
Knead the ingredients
Start kneading by pressing with a spoon. Once it becomes elastic like clay, knead by hand to push out any air.
Check the consistency
Once the mixture comes together and has an earlobe-like firmness, stretch it out.
If it stretches like in the photo and feels elastic, it's ready.
Shape it (for cone or spiral types)
Twist the dough to shape it.
For cones, make the tip pointy and keep the size small.
You can also flatten it and cut it with a cookie cutter if you like.
Shape it (for stick types)
For stick-shaped incense, use a plastic bag.
Put the dough into the bag and flatten it with a rod.
The ideal thickness is about 1mm.
Cut with a utility knife
After flattening, place the bag on cardboard and cut it using a utility knife.
Cut the incense into strips about 1–2 mm wide.
Let it dry
Dry the cut dough on top of cardboard for about a week.
Other shapes should also be dried on cardboard.
*To prevent the incense from losing its shape, remove the plastic bag only after it has dried.
Using layered cardboard helps improve drying, which is why many manufacturers also use it.
Finished
The incense is complete. Break it to fit your incense burner before using.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q：Is it better to dry the incense on cardboard?
- A：Yes, cardboard's layered structure helps it dry better. Many manufacturers use it for this reason.
- Q：Can I make large cone-shaped incense?
- A：The larger it is, the harder it is to dry inside. If used while still wet, it may go out mid-burn.
Also, cone shapes burn more at the base, creating more smoke.
