If you make incense at home or for export, you will meet two natural binders: joss powder and makko. Many buyers look for a makko alternative, and joss powder is one option. Here is how they compare.
What Is Joss Powder?
Joss powder (also called jigat or jiggit powder) is the bark powder of the Litsea glutinosa tree. It is a natural incense binder that suppliers sell as near-odourless, used for incense sticks, cones and mosquito coils.
What Is Makko?
Makko is a Japanese incense base made from the bark of the tabu tree (Machilus thunbergii). It works both as a binder and as a burning base. Higher grades of tabu powder have very little scent.
Joss Powder vs Makko: Comparison
- Tree – joss: Litsea glutinosa; makko: Machilus thunbergii (tabu)
- Binding – joss powder is mainly a binder; makko binds and also acts as a burning base
- Smell – both are close to neutral, so they do not hide your fragrance
- Availability – joss powder is sold in bulk by B2B suppliers; makko and tabu are sold by incense makers and incense-supply retailers
How to Use Joss Powder as a Makko Alternative
Joss powder is mainly a binder, so add some burnable base such as wood powder if your recipe has many resins. One supplier (Scents of Earth) suggests starting at about 1 part joss powder to 5 parts resins and botanicals, then adjust until the mix holds and burns well.
Need bulk supply? See our Vietnam joss powder.
Natural Incense Binders Compared: Tabu, Joss and Gum Arabic
Makko is not the only binder you can use. The table below puts makko (tabu powder) next to joss powder and gum arabic. Each point comes from the sources listed at the end of these sections.
| Binder | Plant source | How it works | Scent | Common uses | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makko (tabu powder) | Bark of Machilus thunbergii (tabunoki), a laurel-family tree native to Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan and Vietnam. The Japanese word makko means incense powder, but in practice it names this bark. | A water-soluble binder that also helps the mix burn smoothly and evenly. With water it turns gently viscous, so the dough can be shaped and air-dried. | Very little. Baieido sells four grades, and the higher grades have less aroma. | Japanese-style sticks and cones. Also coils and moulded shapes. | Incense makers such as Baieido and incense-supply retailers. One listing we checked offers packs from 30 g to 1 kg. Check the label to confirm the pack is pure tabu bark. |
| Joss powder (jigat) | Bark of Litsea glutinosa, also a laurel-family tree. Its native range includes India and Vietnam. | Used as an adhesive paste. In Indian agarbatti it is usually mixed with charcoal dust, which supplies the fuel. | Sold by suppliers as near-odourless. Test-burn with your own blend to confirm. | Agarbatti, dhoop, incense cones, mosquito coils and premix binder. | We manufacture it in Premium and Standard grades and supply across India. See our joss powder. |
| Gum arabic | Not a bark. It is the hardened sap of two acacia species, Senegalia senegal and Vachellia seyal. | Soluble in water. A traditional binder in watercolour paint and fireworks, and also used as a binder in cosmetics. | Our sources do not describe its smell when burnt. Test-burn a sample first. | Food, watercolour paint, fireworks and homemade incense cones. | Harvested across Africa’s Sahel. About 70% of world supply came from Sudan in the early 2020s. |
Joss powder and tabu both come from laurel-family trees, but they are different species. Do not expect identical results, and test a small batch whenever you change binder.
Which binder fits your recipe?
- A Japanese-style recipe built around makko: pure tabu powder keeps the recipe as it is. Joss powder also works if you replace makko’s burning role, as shown in the test routine below.
- Agarbatti, dhoop, cones or coils at factory scale: joss powder, which we supply in bulk grades. See our guides to agarbatti raw material and joss powder for mosquito coils.
- Small batches of hand-made cones: gum arabic is an option. Test the burn and the smell before you commit to it.
- Choosing between a bark binder and a gum for agarbatti: read joss powder vs guar gum.
Testing a Makko Recipe With Joss Powder
The section above on using joss powder as a makko alternative gives the basic swap. Use these steps to try it on a small batch before you scale up.
Step 1: Replace makko’s share of fuel
David Oller’s incense-making guide, published on Baieido’s US website, says to use at least 10% makko. Some ingredients need more for proper burning. When you take makko out, that fuel goes with it. Fill the gap with a burnable powder such as sandalwood or another wood powder. Indian agarbatti makers use charcoal dust for the same job.
Step 2: Weigh out a test batch
The Scents of Earth joss powder listing suggests 1 part joss powder to 5 parts resins and botanicals. That works out to about 17% joss powder in the dry mix. For a 60 g test batch, use 10 g joss powder and 50 g of resins and botanicals. Make most of that 50 g wood powder (see Step 3).
Step 3: Keep resins low
Oller’s guide notes that resins such as frankincense are harder to burn than sandalwood or makko, so they must be used at much lower percentages. If a test piece will not stay lit, try less resin or more wood powder.
Step 4: Mix, shape, dry and test
Add water a little at a time until the dough holds its shape. Make a few sticks or cones, let them dry fully, then burn one.
- Crumbles when dry: add joss powder in small steps.
- Will not stay lit: cut the resin or add wood powder.
- Holds well and burns evenly: write the ratio down and scale up.
For bulk runs, check which grade suits your product. Our guide to joss powder grades explains the options. You can also share your requirement and we will send current price and specs.
Sources: Baieido makko product page; David Oller, Making Incense (baieido-usa.com); Kohgen tabu powder listing; Scents of Earth joss powder and makko listings; Wikipedia entries for Litsea glutinosa, Machilus thunbergii, gum arabic and incense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is makko the same as tabu powder?
Usually. Baieido notes that makko simply means incense powder in Japanese, but in practice the name refers to tabu no ki, the bark of Machilus thunbergii. Check the label to confirm a pack is pure tabu bark.
Can I use joss powder instead of makko?
Yes, as the binder. Makko also helps the mix burn, so replace its share with wood powder or charcoal when you switch. The Scents of Earth joss powder listing suggests 1 part joss powder to 5 parts resins and botanicals. Test small batches before you scale up.
Do joss powder and makko come from the same tree?
No. Joss powder is the bark of Litsea glutinosa, and makko (tabu) is the bark of Machilus thunbergii. Both trees belong to the laurel family, Lauraceae.
Will joss powder change the smell of my incense?
Suppliers sell joss powder as near-odourless, so it should not mask your fragrance. Still, test-burn a sample with your own blend before a full production run.
Is gum arabic a good substitute for makko?
Gum arabic is a water-soluble gum from acacia trees, not a bark powder. It can bind homemade incense cones, but our sources describe it only as a binder. Add a burnable powder such as wood powder, and test the burn and smell first.
How do I order bulk joss powder from Joss Powder India?
Tell us the grade you need (Premium or Standard), your monthly quantity and your delivery city. Call +91 9199267480, email info@josspowderindia.com, or use the WhatsApp chat or our contact page, and we will send current price and specs.
Get a Quote for Bulk Joss Powder
Tell us your required grade, monthly quantity and delivery city. Call +91 9199267480, email info@josspowderindia.com or use our contact form.
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