Handmade from the tough bark of the Tara Wing-Celtis or Blue Sandalwood tree and rice straw, Xuan paper is known for its strong, smooth surface, its ability to absorb water and moisten ink, and fold repeatedly without breaking.

UNESCO: Culture

Sandalwood essence, for example, is a terpene, and the demand for its potent smell means the tree it comes from is becoming rare.

ECONOMIST: Inhuman genomes