How to Use a Chakoro Tea Incense Burner
Written by Team MUSUBI
Discover the soothing ritual of using a chakoro tea incense burner—a beautifully crafted piece designed to release the rich, calming aroma of roasted Japanese tea leaves. In this guide, we’ll show you how to prepare, use, and fully enjoy your chakoro safely and effectively.
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What is a Chakoro?
A chakoro gently diffuses the relaxing scent of Japanese tea leaves by slowly roasting them, along with twigs, over a small flame. In Japanese, "cha" means "tea," and "koro" refers to an incense burner.
This relatively new type of incense burner was introduced about 25 years ago. Many chakoro tea incense burners are crafted from Tokoname ware, the renowned pottery of Aichi Prefecture.
What to Prepare
1. A Chakoro Tea Incense Burner
To begin, you’ll need a chakoro. At MUSUBI KILN, we offer two distinct chakoro sets designed to suit your style and preference.
Each set includes a top plate, a burner, a candle holder, and a wooden trivet. Additionally, every chakoro set comes with one tealight candle to get you started. For ongoing use, you will need to purchase extra tealight candles separately.
2. Japanese Tea Leaves
Next, you will need to acquire Japanese tea leaves. To fully enjoy the richness of their aroma, we recommend selecting tea leaves specifically packaged for use with a chakoro. These tea leaves are specially blended with a higher proportion of twigs than standard tea leaves, as twigs roast more slowly and release their fragrance over a longer period.
3. Spoon
Prepare a spoon to scoop the tea leaves onto the top plate of your chakoro burner. For an added touch of elegance to your relaxing ritual, consider using a kabazaiku teaspoon crafted from wild cherry tree bark. Its natural beauty and craftsmanship complement the serene experience.
How to Burn Japanese Tea Leaves on a Chakoro
Next, we'll guide you step by step on how to roast tea leaves on your chakoro.
1. Place the chakoro burner on the wooden trivet and set them on a flat, stable surface. Scoop one spoonful (2 g/0.1 oz) of tea leaves onto the plate and gently spread them out evenly. If you're using a traditional tea spoon, you may need to add two scoops to achieve the optimal scent.
2. Gently set the top plate onto the chakoro. Make sure that the plate is securely positioned on the burner.
3. Remove the candle holder from the chakoro, light the candle, and carefully place it back into the burner. The flame should remain low and must not come into direct contact with any surfaces.
*Do not place anything under the candle holder to elevate its height, as this can cause overheating and damage to the chakoro.
4. After five to six minutes, you’ll start to sense the gentle aroma of the roasted tea leaves and twigs. Allow another ten minutes or so, and the full, rich fragrance of the Japanese tea leaves will fill the air. The scent lasts for about an hour. You can slightly adjust the amount of tea leaves to experience different intensities of the aroma.
Japanese tea leaves contain a natural substance that, when heated, has a calming effect on the brain and promotes improved blood flow. Additionally, their aroma possesses deodorizing properties, naturally helping to soften unwanted odors.
Tips for Safe Use
Here are some safety tips to ensure your moments with a chakoro are safe and enjoyable.
- Keep the chakoro away from flammable materials and out of reach of children.
- Avoid touching any surfaces of the chakoro while in use, as they can become very hot.
- Never leave a chakoro unattended when in use.
- Allow it to cool completely before discarding the roasted tea leaves.
- Occasionally ventilate the room with fresh air.
After all parts have cooled, return the chakoro to its box or display it on a shelf or table as a decorative piece. The smooth, earthy texture and minimalist design of Tokoname ware will enhance the ambiance of any room or space with a sense of Japanese artistry.
Moments of Relaxation
While the tealight candle burns, the chakoro releases a series of evolving aromas. It begins with a gentle fragrance, followed by a deeper, roasted, and woody character. As the temperature rises to its peak, it transforms into a warm, nostalgic mellowness.
And a chakoro not only soothes the mind but also offers a visual delight through its carefully crafted design and the soft shadows it casts.
Bring a chakoro into your home and let its essence fill your space with peaceful charm.
Chakoro Tea Incense Burners
A chakoro tea incense burner gently fills a room with the delicate aromas of roasted tea leaves. The soft flame of a tealight candle slowly warms the leaves, releasing their natural fragrance. Unwind in the soothing atmosphere it creates while admiring the refined craftsmanship of an authentic Japanese chakoro.
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