What’s in the Oriental Incense collection?
This page is dedicated to oriental incense in two forms: bakhoor, a traditional Middle Eastern incense heated on charcoal, and the incense stick, which is easier to use and burns slowly in an incense holder. You’ll find fragrances from every family: oud and woody notes, floral scents (rose, jasmine, lavender), sandalwood and gourmand scents (honey), as well as musky, fruity, or amber blends for bakhoor.
Powdered bakhoor: the fragrance tradition of the Gulf
Bakhoor (also spelled bakhour, bokhour, or bukhoor) is part of the home-fragrancing traditions of Gulf countries, particularly the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. It is burned to welcome guests and during family gatherings and celebrations. Place a small pinch of powder on a lit incense charcoal in a traditional burner called a mabkhara: the heat gradually releases the fragrance.
We offer five powdered bakhoors, each with its own character: MAHER incense, with oud wood and fresh, musky notes, in a black and gold jar; GISSATY incense, floral and fruity, milder than a very woody incense; RAED Bokhour Oud incense, warm with woody accents; Yara incense, with a feminine, floral, fruity, and musky fragrance; and Ajwad incense, with woody and musky notes, in a 100 g jar.
Incense sticks: simple, fragrant, and affordable
Incense sticks are placed in a holder, lit, and left to burn slowly: no charcoal is needed. They’re ideal for discovering incense or fragrance your home every day. Depending on the product, a box contains 16 or 24 sticks, and one stick burns for about 30 to 35 minutes.
How to choose your oriental incense
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How you want to burn it: sticks are used without charcoal; bakhoor requires special incense charcoal and a suitable burner.
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Fragrance family: oud for an intense oriental atmosphere, floral scents for softness, sandalwood for warmth, honey for a sweet treat.
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Desired intensity: powdered bakhoor can be measured by the pinch, allowing you to adjust the fragrance to suit the room.
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The occasion: everyday incense, a fragrance for entertaining, or a gift.
How to use incense and bakhoor
For sticks, place one in an incense holder, light the tip, let the flame go out, and enjoy the fragrant smoke. For bakhoor, light a piece of special incense charcoal with tongs, place it in a burner designed for charcoal, then add a small pinch of powder. Our incense burners and accessories collection includes black and gold, white and gold, emerald green, and gold-tone standing models, as well as a 2-in-1 stone burner that also holds incense sticks.
Safety tips
Always use incense in a ventilated room, on a stable, heat-resistant surface, and never leave a burning stick or charcoal unattended. Keep incense, charcoal, and burners out of reach of children and pets. Burning charcoal produces carbon monoxide: never use it in an enclosed space. Smoke may bother people who are sensitive to it.
A home fragrance and a gift idea
Incense creates a warm atmosphere in a living room, entryway, or entertaining space. Bakhoor paired with an elegant burner, or a box of incense sticks, makes a lovely gift idea for lovers of oriental home fragrances. To extend the experience, explore our Musk and Oriental Fragrances collection and the Essence of the Hammam ritual.
