Way back in the day when I first started in the business of offering quality incense to the rural public at an economical price, I started with Hem brand incense. Incense does not need to break you in the wallet, as I am of the mind that “it’s the little things in life that bring the most joy”. I discovered incense back in 1970 at the tender age of 14. The only incense available in my small rural town was Satya. Then, around the mid-1980’s, I became aware of a new brand on the market called Hem.  I used both. And I love both still…among others. And, while I have access these days to a plethora of brands that are all very good and some of them my favourites, I still reach for Hem when the mood strikes. Hem is very similar to Satya in the production techniques by the way they roll their sticks. Hem company uses bamboo with charcoal and then dips each stick into fragrant oils. Their cones are a bit better then the sticks, imho, as they burn a little cleaner and have a more clear fragrance, which is normal when comparing an “agarbatti” with a “dhoop” style. ( Loosely translated by yours truly, “Agarbatti” means “incense with a wooden stick” and “dhoop” means “no wood” within the incense itself. fyi. ) These two brands – Satya and Hem – are the two top exporters of incense outside of India to the rest of the world. They make A LOT of incense aka “mega-tons!” – but have never compromised the quality of their brands over the years. ( Watch this blog for a report on Satya brand incense in the very near future! )

Here’s what their official website has to say about the company: “The company has come a long way since its small beginning in 1983. It was set up as a partnership firm by three brothers who were willing to take on the world’s biggest, most famous incense companies operating in India at the time.   Over the course of 30 years, Hem Corporation started manufacturing and exporting to 70 countries and has became India’s leading perfumed incense company with state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities located in Mumbai and Bangalore. Driven by its strong consumer-focus and innovative spirit, the company has aimed to be the market leader. Today, it is ranked amongst the best in the branded segment of all other incense companies in India. We manufacture a wide range of incense for our consumers, out of which HEM PRECIOUS RANGE our flagship brand is famous the world over.”

There is no argument that Hem brand incense is high quality and affordable.  Some of my favourite fragrances within this brand is Violet, Oudh, Baby Powder and  Dragon’s Blood.  I use both sticks and cones, and find them to be very reliable and fresh when I purchase them from the company for resale at my little store. So, if you are on a budget, and want the scent experience without the slightly higher “gourmet” price tag, Hem is your best bet!

Until next time…

…Namaste!