A Scentual Experience

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE CANDLE scent? Apple blossom? Ocean breeze? Strawberry morning? Sage and citrus? Vanilla rose? The list is endless. Fragrance aside, one of the more popular types of candles these days pushing such perfumes into the air for extended lingers is soy.

"Soy candles have been increasing in popularity over the past 10 years," said Kevin Richards, owner of Scents and Sprays in the northwest part of the Las Vegas Valley. "The difference in a soy candle is its quality. This means it burns cleaner, has a longer burn and burns smoother and more even. There are also health and environmental factors because soy produces less soot and toxins than candles made from paraffin wax."

Richards has an inventory of more than 1,500 candles in all shapes, sizes and fragrances. He imports them from around the world, and finds that his customers enjoy buying the 7-ounce, medium glass jar candle in a flower, fruit or food fragrance.

Food fragrance?

"For instance, I sell watermelon, coffee, even angel food cake," said Richards. "During the fall and winter, people buy apple pie or pumpkin pie as that fits in with the season. You know, walking into a home on a wintry day with that fresh-baked smell."

Candle sales increase during end-of-year holiday celebrations (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa) as they become gifts and decorations. The price of soy candles vary with the more expensive ones being made from higher-grade soy and natural extracts. Richards said it can take up to 2,000 flowers to obtain enough fragrance for just one candle, although it is becoming more difficult to tell the difference between pure and synthetic fragrances.

"However," he explained, "soy candles with natural fragrance can be very important to some people, especially those with allergies."

Surveys from candle manufacturers show that 96 percent of all candles are bought by women. Candles can be found in seven out of 10 homes in the United States, are burned for less than three hours per occasion, are used one to three times per week and are burned with other candles half of that time.

Although very little is known about the origin of candles, the very first one may have been nothing more than flaming lumps of animal fat attached to wood. This probably occurred shortly after man discovered how to use fire to cook and noticed that fat dripping into the fire caused it to burn brighter. Remains of candles have been found in excavations in Greece and Egypt around 3000 B.C. It was not until the Roman Empire that scientists began to see evidence of the development of candles as we know them today.

An alternative to burning candles is diffusers. Diffusion is the process of dispersing the aroma of essential oils or perfumed liquid. There are many ways to diffuse, with the current craze being bamboo reeds. After immersing the reeds in the oil, a slow evaporation takes place through the reeds, eventually filling a room with its natural fragrance.

"Right now, diffusers are the most popular noncandle item that we sell," said Richards. "There is no burning, which makes it safe to use."

Richards advises his customers on how to use diffusers and candles. His main advice on candles is to make sure the flame burns straight up and down, keeping it away from any location where there is a draft.

And always remember to trim your wick.