Young artisans revive curative benefits of Chinese incense

The process begins by finely grinding each ingredient into a powder. This powder is then carefully mixed with a natural binder — often honey or water — and shaped into coils, sticks, or cones.

From a young age, Zhang was fascinated by the subtle beauty and fragrance of plants. As he grew older, this passion evolved into an interest in traditional Chinese incense.

"When I was 14, I tried to make a specimen from some mint leaves. As I heated the leaves, I smelt the fragrance, which inspired me to try more plants," he said.

Zhang said his mother loves using incense at home and when he was 20, he made his first osmanthus-scented incense stick for her. "Now, my mother uses incense handmade by me," he said, adding that the incense scents he creates are named after lines from traditional Chinese poems.

His business partner is a computer science major, and the pair have developed and launched an incense fragrance calculator.

Noticing the growing interest among his peers for personalized experiences, Zhang envisioned a tool that would allow young people to craft their own scents.

"Users can select base ingredients, such as sandalwood or lavender, and complementary notes like citrus or spices," he said. "The calculator not only suggests ratios for a balanced fragrance but also educates users on the aromatic properties and the historical significance of each ingredient.

"We want to empower the young generation to engage with the ancient art of incense-making, making it accessible and relevant in a modern context and fostering a deeper appreciation for cultural heritage among young incense enthusiasts," he added.