Räucherkerze facts for kids
A Räucherkerze (say "RYOO-cher-kair-tseh"), also called a Räucherkerzchen or Räucherkegel, is a special type of incense cone. People burn these cones, especially around Christmas, in Germany and the Czech Republic. They help make homes smell nice and festive.
Contents
The History of Räucherkerzen
How Räucherkerzen Started
The idea for Räucherkerzen comes from a long time ago. It's linked to how frankincense was used in Catholic religious services. Frankincense is a sweet-smelling resin.
When Räucherkerzen Became Popular
People started making these small incense cones around 1750. This happened in a town called Crottendorf in the Ore Mountains region of Germany. However, they didn't become widely known until the mid-1800s. This was when new Christmas traditions began to spread. The creation of the first Räuchermännchen (smoking figures) also helped. These figures are often used to hold the burning Räucherkerzen.
What Räucherkerzen Are Made Of
Ingredients for Incense Cones
Räucherkerzen are made from several natural materials. These include resin from the Frankincense tree, charcoal, and potato flour. They also contain sandalwood and a paste made from beech wood.
How Räucherkerzen Are Made
First, all these ingredients are ground into a fine powder. Then, they are mixed together with water to form a moist dough. This dough is carefully shaped into small cones. Once shaped, they are left to dry.
Where Räucherkerzen Are Produced
Most Räucherkerzen are made in the German state of Saxony. There are three main places where they are produced:
- In Neudorf, they are known as Huss-Original Neudorfer Räucherkerzen.
- In Crottendorf, they are called Original Crottendorfer Räucherkerzen.
- In Mohorn-Grund, near Wilsdruff, they are made by the company KNOX.
Some Räucherkerzen are also made outside Saxony. For example, in Höchst im Odenwald and in Bockau, where Bockauer Räucherkerzen have been made since 1997.
Different Scents of Räucherkerzen
Traditional and Modern Scents
Räucherkerzen come in many different smells. During Christmas, popular scents include frankincense, pine, honey, and cinnamon. These smells help create a festive atmosphere.
Scents for All Seasons
You can also find Räucherkerzen with scents for other times of the year. Some even have smells that help keep insects away. This makes them useful beyond just the holiday season.
Images for kids
-
Räucherkerzen manufacturers: KNOX, Crottendorfer and Huss
-
Incense houses (Räucherhäuschen)
See also
