For centuries, sacred smoke has carried prayers, poetry, and tradition across civilizations. At its heart is Agarwood incense — the fragrant bridge between the earthly and the divine, revered from ancient temples of Asia to royal courts of the Middle East.
The Agarwood Incense Crafting Workshop by Oud Academia is a journey into this timeless craft. More than a skills class, it is a cultural awakening: an immersion into the ritualistic, artistic, and scientific foundations of incense-making. Participants discover how raw Aquilaria wood transforms into offerings of calm, purity, and intention — shaped by human hands, guided by ancestral wisdom, and refined through modern scent science.
Here, heritage meets innovation. Students explore traditional incense forms — makko-based sticks, kneaded incense (neriko), resin-rich cones, incense coils, and masala blends — all centered on the depth and purity of agarwood. Each formula is approached like a story: balancing aromatic woods, resins, spices, floral powders, and natural binders to evoke emotion, memory, and spiritual presence.
Every handcrafted piece becomes a symbol of mindfulness. A crafted incense stick is not just burned — it is experienced. The rising smoke becomes a medium of meditation, an instrument of aromatherapy, a companion to sacred rituals, or a signature scent for wellness spaces.
The workshop empowers artisans, entrepreneurs, and scent enthusiasts to create incense that is authentic, culturally respectful, and sustainably crafted. Rooted in Oud Academia’s mission to preserve and advance global agarwood heritage, this workshop revives ancient craft traditions while opening doors to modern creative expression and premium product innovation.
By the end of the journey, each participant leaves not only with handcrafted incense — but with the deeper understanding that incense-making is an art of intention, a meeting of earth and spirit, and a craft carried across generations.
The Agarwood Incense Crafting Workshop
Where sacred tradition becomes a modern craft.
Comprehensive
Duration: 3 Days (16–20 Hours Total)
Suggested Course Fee: ₱18,000 per participant
(Includes materials, incense-making kit, agarwood powder, oils, meals, and certificate)
Course Objectives
By the end of this comprehensive course, participants will:
- Understand the history, culture, and chemistry of agarwood incense.
- Learn hands-on techniques for incense formulation and shaping.
- Master natural binding, drying, and scent enhancement methods.
- Develop custom blends using agarwood and other aromatic botanicals.
- Gain skills for small-scale production and branding of incense products.
COURSE MODULES
Day 1 – Foundations of Incense Artistry
Morning:
- Introduction to Agarwood: Origins, fragrance chemistry, and uses
- Cultural significance of incense in Asia and the Middle East
- Types of incense (stick, coil, cone, powder, and resin blends)
- Safety, tools, and workspace setup
Afternoon:
- Understanding raw materials: Agarwood powder, binders, resins, essential oils
- Demonstration: Sourcing and preparing incense-grade agarwood
- Hands-on Activity: Formulating your first incense blend
Day 2 – Craftsmanship & Scent Profiling
Morning:
- Balancing notes: Base (agarwood), middle (herbs/spices), and top (floral/citrus)
- Natural binding agents: Makko powder, Litsea glutinosa, and jigat bark
- Techniques: Kneading, rolling, coiling, and cone shaping
Afternoon:
- Controlled drying and curing process for consistent burn quality
- Troubleshooting common issues (cracking, poor scent throw, smoke control)
- Hands-on: Crafting and drying your incense forms
Day 3 – Branding, Packaging & Business Applications
Morning:
- Finishing, scent aging, and storage techniques
- Incense testing: Burn time, smoke, and aroma performance
- Fragrance enhancement with natural essential oils (sandalwood, cinnamon, rose, etc.)
Afternoon:
- Costing and scaling production for retail
- Packaging design, storytelling, and product differentiation
- Business models: Local crafts, export, and spa/wellness markets
- Certificate awarding and product showcase
Materials & Equipment Included
- Agarwood powder (5–10g premium grade)
- Natural binding materials (Makko powder, Litsea bark, etc.)
- Essential oils and fragrance enhancers
- Mixing tools, molds, and rolling mats
- Course manual (printed + digital)
- Certificate of Completion (endorsed by AGAP / Crown Agroforestry)
Add-on Options
- Premium Kit Upgrade: +₱3,000 for luxury-grade agarwood and essential oil set
- Certification Program: Partnership endorsement by AGAP / CvSU / Crown Agroforestry Group
- Online Follow-up Session: Virtual refresher and product consultation