STILL AIR CRAFT II

TEA STEAM

Pause • Attention • Warmth

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Encourages mindful slowing, soft focus, and a gentle return to the present moment.

 

 

INGREDIENTS

(Small batch - approx. 20 hand-rolled sticks)

Primary Materials
• Green tea leaf powder (sencha or bancha) - 1½ tsp
• Makko powder - 2 tsp

Supporting Materials
• Toasted rice husk powder - ½ tsp
• Bamboo powder (very fine) - ¼ tsp

Use true tea leaf only.
No flavoured teas.
No essential oils.

 

TOOLS REQUIRED

• Stone mortar and pestle
• Fine mesh sieve
• Ceramic or glass mixing bowl
• Measuring spoons
• Distilled water
• Wooden board or tray
• Baking paper or unbleached cloth
• Damp cloth
• Airtight storage container

 

PREPARATION

Grinding the Tea
Place dried green tea leaves into the mortar.
Grind slowly until finely powdered.

Sift through a fine mesh sieve.
Return coarse pieces to the mortar and repeat.

Tea leaf must be very fine to ensure an even, calm burn.

 

DRY BLENDING

Combine in a bowl:
• Green tea powder
• Makko powder
• Toasted rice husk powder
• Bamboo powder

Mix thoroughly until the blend is:
• Pale green-beige
• Dry
• Even in texture

No clumps should remain.

 

ADDING WATER

Add distilled water drop by drop, mixing gently after each addition.

The dough should become:
• Smooth
• Soft
• Slightly cool to the touch
• Flexible but not sticky

If cracks appear → add a few drops of water
If it smears → allow to rest uncovered briefly

 

RESTING THE DOUGH

Cover with a damp cloth.
Rest for 10-15 minutes.

This allows the makko to fully bind and stabilise the incense.

 

HAND-ROLLING

Pinch a grape-sized amount of dough.
Roll gently into thin ropes:

• 2-3 mm thick
• 8-10 cm long

Use light, even pressure.

Tea Steam should look soft and understated,
not perfectly uniform.

If small cracks appear, lightly dampen fingertips and smooth gently.
Do not overwork the dough.

 

DRYING

Place sticks on baking paper or cloth.

Dry in a shaded, well-ventilated space:

• No sunlight
• No artificial heat

Drying time: 4-6 days.
Turn once daily.

Tea-based incense dries more slowly than wood-based blends.

 

CURING

Once fully dry, store in an airtight container for 2-3 weeks.

This deepens warmth and softens green notes.

 

HOW TO BURN

• Burn on a mica plate or ash bed
• Break into smaller pieces if desired
• Best burned mid-morning or during work pauses

This incense is ideal for single-stick burning, not constant use.

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CaravanSerai Gypsy

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