Originated in Japan in the 19th Century, incense cones are the easiest and most low-maintenance to burn. Our incense cones are hand-shaped, and have a thick enough base to make them stand on their own. That makes them very easily portable and enables them to burn on any heat and fire proof surface, without the need for any special tools or dishes. You can even burn them outdoors on the ground.
Ayala Moriel makes two types of incense cones: Smudging Incense Cones, which are primarily made from herbs, with focus on a single element that is traditionally using fro smudging ceremonies and produces a similar scent for a continuous 10-15 minutes; as well as more sophisticated incense creations, as offered with our incense sticks and Agarbatti, which are simply a different shape, but produce more smoke (as cones are much thicker than sticks). These cones are a perfect solution for when you're traveling, or for beginner incense afficianado, as it does not require any special equipment to burn.
To use incense cones: Place the cone on its base, so that it stands straight on a heat-proof surface. You may use a designated vessel, or any heat-proof container that you don't mind getting a burn-mark (the cone will leave a circle of the burnt plant matter and some ash ones its been exhausted). A bowl filled with sand or earth, or a coin placed on a ceramic tile or plate will do.
Light the cone with a match or a lighter, and blow it off to allow the ember to slowly progress down the cone. Enjoy!
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Ancestral Feast was created especially for Day of the Dead to honour our ancestors with copal smoke. According to Mayan traditions copal is food for the souls and was not only burnt in funeral and memorial rites, but also shaped as meze or tamales to accompany the dead on their journey to the afterlife.
Incense cones, hand-rolled in the traditional techniqued, made from finely ground botanicals: five types of copal (Mayan, black, white, gold and Angolan), palo santo, white and red sandalwood and bound with natural gums or wood bark. No saltpetre or charcoal used in these cones.
Ancestral Feast Incense cones come in a box containing a dozen cones, or a paper-wrapped bundle of 18 incense sticks. Choose the form you prefer, and take note of the instructions below for burning each of them.
To burn incense cones: Place the cone on a heat-proof dish or on a surface that you won't mind scorching (for example: a coin placed on top of a ceramic plate or tile; a ceramic bowl filled with sand, etc.), and away from any flammable materials, light the tip and blow off the flame. Allow to burn off completely.
To burn the incense sticks: Place the lit stick (light the tip and then blow out the flame) on a bowl full of ash (preferably rice ash). This will enable the stick to burn without any bits left off. If you have a designated incense dish with a hole you may also use that. It will leave a tiny bit of incense unused though.