The Story Behind Our Sugar Palm “Smok Box” Packaging

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Discover the story of the sugar palm tree, Cambodia’s national symbol and how we transform its leaves into our signature “Smok Box” packaging. Hand-woven by the women of Kravann village, these eco-friendly boxes are a sustainable alternative to modern packaging. This category celebrates the art of traditional weaving.

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A National Symbol Rooted in Daily Life

In Cambodia, the sugar palm tree is a true national symbol, deeply connected to everyday life and traditional craftsmanship. For generations, its leaves have been used to build thatched roofs and walls, weave mats and create essential household items. This remarkable tree represents a harmonious relationship between people and nature a philosophy that also lies at the heart of Senteurs d’Angkor workshop and garden.

Women artisans at Senteurs d’Angkor sorting and bundling natural sugar palm leaves, the raw material used to create traditional handcrafted Smok box packaging in Cambodia.
Artisan walking slowly through the Senteurs d’Angkor garden, carefully balancing a bundle of sugar palm leaves on her head, surrounded by tropical trees and workshop buildings.
A close-up of our artisan carefully sorting and bundling sugar palm leaves before colouring and cutting them for weaving traditional Smok packaging boxes.

Inspiration Behind the Smok Box

Inspired by this heritage, we created its signature “Smok Box” packaging using sugar palm leaves as a natural and sustainable alternative to conventional materials. The name Smok Box comes from the traditional local Khmer word and design, not from any smoking or burning process. Today, most of our product packaging is made from this “Smok” material, which has become a signature of our character and a symbol of our commitment to natural, sustainable and eco-friendly solutions.

Artisans drying bright red–hued sugar palm leaves at the colouring station during golden hour, with warm sunlight enhancing the vivid tones of the natural leaves prepared for weaving Smok boxes.

A Signature of Sustainability

The leaves are carefully harvested, dried, coloured and prepared by hand, preserving their natural strength, flexibility, and warm, bright color. Each Smok Box is entirely handmade and woven with patience and precision. No two pieces are exactly the same, making every box a unique reflection of the artisan’s skill and the beauty of natural materials.

Close-up of the artisan dyer carefully inspecting the coloured sugar palm leaves at the colouring station, checking the bright purple hues and quality before they are used for weaving natural Smok boxes.

Crafted by Hand, One by One

The artisans who create these boxes come from Kravann village, where we provide sustainable employment and supports the preservation of traditional weaving techniques passed down through generations. Through this work, women gain stable income, independence, and pride in their craftsmanship while remaining closely connected to their families and cultural roots.

Artisan carefully cutting coloured sugar palm leaves, preparing each strip for weaving handcrafted Smok natural packaging boxes.
Close-up of an artisan’s hands weaving a Smok box, highlighting the intricate and delicate craftsmanship of the traditional sugar palm leaf packaging.

By choosing sugar palm leaf Smok Boxes as our main packaging material, Senteurs d’Angkor reinforces its commitment to sustainability, cultural heritage, and women’s empowerment. From the natural fibres of the palm tree to the skilled hands that shape them, each box tells a story of Cambodia, authenticity, and respect for both people and nature.