Agarwood is not agarwood

In the corner of a room, a small div with a margin of 15px on the top and bottom, and 0px on the left, sits quietly with a width and height of 255px, floating to the left. This space is not just for decoration—it’s a symbol of an ancient tradition. Incense burning, tea brewing, painting, and flower arranging are known as the four arts of the literati, once considered the refined pursuits of scholars in old China. Today, the allure of agarwood has sparked renewed interest among many, yet its mysterious nature often holds people back from fully embracing it. Recently, I had the opportunity to visit Mr. Wang Jinli, the fourth-generation descendant of the Shenxiang family, at No. 8 Mansion, where I found answers to many long-standing questions. Agarwood comes from the agarwood tree, which produces resin when damaged by natural or human causes. This resin gradually hardens into the precious agarwood we know today. However, the market is flooded with fake products that are merely processed wood. According to Mr. Wang, the price difference between real and fake agarwood can be staggering—up to tenfold. Some fakes sold for thousands of yuan might cost as little as a few yuan in materials. To help identify genuine agarwood, Mr. Wang shared some key tips. Visually, real agarwood tends to be darker, often yellowish-brown, with distinct patterns and oil lines. Fake agarwood, on the other hand, is lighter in color, lacks texture, and does not show those unique oil lines. Smell-wise, artificial incense made from chemicals and dyes has a sharp, overwhelming scent, while real agarwood offers a more subtle, cool, and elegant aroma. Geographically, there are significant differences between “domestic” and “foreign” agarwood. Domestic varieties are mainly found in eastern Guangdong, Fujian, Guangxi, and Yunnan’s Xishuangbanna region, while foreign agarwood comes from Vietnam, Indonesia, and Cambodia. Their scents and appearances differ greatly. Domestically produced agarwood used to come in various forms like strips, blocks, and sheets, often larger than foreign types. Foreign agarwood is usually less structured. In terms of scent, foreign agarwood tends to be stronger due to higher oil content, but sometimes it can have an unpleasant or lingering odor. In contrast, domestic agarwood is more stable and long-lasting, offering a clean, non-greasy burn. Indonesian and Malaysian agarwood is known for its high oil content and dark color. Domestic agarwood is often bitter with strong, sometimes spicy or numbing notes, but it has a pleasant aftertaste. Foreign agarwood is generally sweeter and milder. While domestic agarwood takes decades or even centuries to form, foreign varieties mature faster and are more abundant. Opinions on quality vary, with some claiming Vietnamese agarwood is best, others favoring Hainan. Mr. Wang believes value should be based on quality and personal preference, not origin. He says, “Every region has good agarwood. The key factors are age and oil content. Agarwood that has formed over decades or centuries is typically the best.” Beyond traditional uses in medicine and religion, incense is now also used in cultural practices like “incense seating,” where the act of burning incense becomes a sensory experience. “Drinking incense” is another trend, helping people relax and find inner peace. Mr. Wang explains that agarwood requires higher water temperatures than regular tea, so it's best brewed using a cooking method to fully release its fragrance. A few grams can last for more than a year, making it a long-term investment. Mr. Wang also warns about the growing issue of misinformation in the agarwood market. Many sellers fabricate stories and create false names to inflate prices. Terms like “white sand sinking” and “tiger skin grain” are often used to mislead collectors. It’s important for enthusiasts to educate themselves and approach the market with caution.

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