Incense Guides & Answers From the makers

Agarbatti is an incense stick hand-rolled on a thin bamboo core; dhoop is a solid stick made entirely of fragrant paste, with no bamboo. Because the whole dhoop stick is fragrance, it gives a denser, longer-held scent, while agarbatti is lighter and suits everyday use.

Bambooless dhoop is a solid incense stick made entirely of fragrant paste (wood powder, natural resin and fragrance oils) with no bamboo core. With nothing but fragrance burning, it gives a richer scent, leaves no charred bamboo stub, and holds its fragrance in the room for longer.

Charcoal-free incense is made without charcoal powder in the paste. Many mass-market agarbattis use charcoal because it is cheap and helps the stick burn, but it adds smoke and a harsh, burnt note. Charcoal-free sticks rely on wood powder and natural resins instead, so they burn with noticeably less smoke and a cleaner fragrance.

Hold the tip of the dhoop stick in a flame until it catches, let it burn for five seconds, then gently blow out the flame so the tip glows. Stand the stick upright in a holder or a dish of sand, on a heat-safe surface away from curtains, and let it smoulder for about an hour.

Light the tip of the incense stick from a diya, candle or match, let the flame burn for a few seconds until the tip glows, then gently wave or blow out the flame. The stick should smoulder with a thin ribbon of smoke; place it in a holder at a slight angle or upright over an ash catcher.

A standard hand-rolled incense stick burns for about 45 to 60 minutes. Aadhya's incense and premium dhoop sticks burn for about 55–60 minutes each, and our luxury dhoop up to 75 minutes, depending on the blend and the draught in the room.