First, make a preliminary judgment based on the price. Real sandalwood is usually expensive due to its rarity and difficulty in collecting. If there are abnormally low-priced sandalwood products on the market, especially those with a large number of sticks but extremely low prices, they are likely to be fakes. Therefore, consumers should be wary of low-price temptations when purchasing.
Second, identify by smell. Real sandalwood has a strong and natural aroma, and the aroma is long-lasting but not pungent. Fake sandalwood often adds chemical flavors, which are strong and volatile, and sometimes even have irritating odors. Consumers can judge the authenticity of the product by opening and closing the smell, that is, keeping a certain distance from the product to smell its aroma.
In addition, observe the appearance and texture of the sandalwood product. Real sandalwood has a fine texture, clear texture, and the color is usually light yellow-brown to reddish brown. Fake sandalwood may appear too bright or unnatural in color due to the addition of pigments or other substances. At the same time, when real sandalwood is burned, the incense ash is usually black, and the texture is hard and not easy to break.
In addition, consumers can further verify through combustion experiments. When real sandalwood burns, the aroma is strong and long-lasting, while fake sandalwood may burn too quickly and have impure aroma due to the addition of combustion aids or other chemicals.
At the same time, it is also important to understand the origin and source of sandalwood. Sandalwood from different origins varies in aroma and texture, but real sandalwood usually comes from specific rare tree species. Consumers should choose reputable merchants and brands when purchasing to avoid purchasing products of unknown origin.
Finally, consumers can also refer to the evaluation and feedback of other consumers. By checking product reviews, consulting professionals or communicating with other consumers, you can get more information about the authenticity of sandalwood products.
To identify the authenticity of sandalwood products, you need to consider multiple aspects such as price, aroma, appearance, combustion experiments and origin.