If you’ve been wondering “what does frankincense smell like?” you’re not alone – it’s a common question every holiday season! In this blog, we cover all things frankincense-related, from its rich history and widespread uses to its scent profile and beyond. Let’s get started!
The History of Frankincense in Different Cultures
Frankincense is a fragrant gum resin that comes from trees. The history of frankincense spans over 5,000 years with the scent having been used across many different cultures for religious, medicinal, and cosmetic purposes. Examples include:
- Featured in the Christian tradition as one of the gifts presented to Jesus from the Magi
- Considered “the sweat of the gods” by ancient Egyptians
- Used by Romans in religious ceremonies and funerals
- Had its own trade route known as the “Incense Road,” which connected the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa with the Mediterranean World, Egypt, and China
- Associated with the Franks, but refers to the high quality of incense brought to Europe (and not the Franks themselves)
Today, frankincense is used in perfumes, candles, and incense, among other items, and continues to be valued for its medicinal qualities.
How Would You Describe the Smell of Frankincense?
Woody, warm, sweet, piney, citrusy, and a bit peppery are some of the ways we would describe the smell of frankincense. Frankincense is a member of the amber fragrance family, meaning that it can be earthy, deep, and almost spiritual.
Some people compare the smell of frankincense to licorice, while others often associate frankincense with incense blends since the scent is often a component of them. However, the frankincense scent can take many different profiles depending on its pairing.
Frankincense vs. Myrrh: What’s the Difference?
Frankincense and myrrh are both tree resins, and due to their connection in the Christian tradition, people often wonder how they differ in aroma. While these is some overlap, there are distinct differences, and the two can either be paired together or used separately to create distinct fragrance profiles:
- Frankincense – The scent is often considered warm, resinous, spiced, and slightly citrus. It might also be described as having a sweet and woodsy finish. Since the smell of frankincense is more earthy than woody, it’s known to be more uplifting and bright.
- Myrrh – Myrrh is known for its deep, rich, and slightly bitter aroma. It also has earthy and balsamic undertones. People often associate it with being grounding and even slightly medicinal.
If you’re still unsure about which suits you better, try getting a candle of each and play around with the pairing! When you combine the two, you will find that the two scents really enhance one another. You could also blend them at a Penn & Beech event!
Frankincense brings clarity and sweetness, while myrrh contributes fullness and depth. The result is quite complex, yet harmonious. Try it for yourself!
Get to Know More About the Frankincense Scent
What makes the frankincense scent stand out?
When frankincense is used in candle scents, it tends to create a lively and uplifting aroma that is perfect for the holidays and cozy fall or winter months. Frankincense is also the ideal fragrance when you need to relieve stress and promote relaxation, or when you simply want your space to smell clean and healthy. These are just a few of the reasons why the Penn & Beech team loves creating frankincense scented items.
Check out our Frankincense Collection to see all we have to offer and how you can enhance your space with our products.
What to look for when choosing a frankincense candle?
Prioritize the use of soy wax, cotton wicks, and essential oils when you’re looking for a frankincense candle. The candle gets bonus points if it has a long burning time, such as 60 hours for an 8-ounce candle. Additionally, you will want to make sure that the candle is free from heavy metals or other harmful contaminants. Penn & Beech candles have all of these attributes!
What other scents pair well with frankincense?
Get Frankincense Scented Candles from Penn & Beech
Penn & Beech is your source for premium candles that deliver pleasant and inviting aromas. We have over 140 unique fragrances that fit every season and mood, and our candles are free from parabens, phthalates, fillers, and chemical additives. In short, our candles give off wonderful scent profiles without featuring any poor-quality ingredients.
Check out some of our favorite frankincense scented products:
- Frankincense candles that are clean burning
- Frankincense reed diffusers that last 2-3 months
- Frankincense soy tarts that burn on an oil or wax burner without a flame
As we mentioned before, the smell of frankincense pairs well with many other scents, so you can make your own dream candle that features your favorite holiday smells or create the ultimate relaxation candle that combines your favorite soothing scents.
Candle Care Tips
To make sure you’re getting the best results from your Penn & Beech candles, be sure to:
- Start by trimming your wick to 1/4 of an inch
- Realign the wick to the center if you notice it drifting
- Allow the wax to pool across the entire circumference of the glass to ensure that you receive your full burn time
- Burn in sessions between 1 to 4 hours to avoid overheating
- Avoid drafts to prevent soot
- Remove any debris that might have gotten in your candle before burning
Shop Our Selection of Frankincense Scented Products Today!
We hope this post clears up the question of what frankincense smells like. If you’re interested in introducing this lovely aroma to your space, be sure to shop for frankincense scented products from our store today!
Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.