It seems like anon is overly complicating things here. If the end result was to just break up the koyukkuris and put them in water, why bother to smoke them? Why not just smash them alive with a hammer and put the goo in the water? It'd achieve the same effect. :(
Smoking gave that distinct smell, especially with the aromatic woods. Can't get that with just steaming or smashing. Well, this is assuming the smell did get absorbed into the paste.
But what's the point of infusing the koyukkuris with smokey goodness if Mother Reimu is going to be angrily choking it down anyway? And also, they're being added to water, so the end result is gonna be a goop anyway. :(
This is where the abuse magic starts to fade for me, and my internal chemistry begins to balance itself. No more horrified expressions, just burning anger. I can identify more with this. After watching the preceding events, it's like me being the Hulk during the abuse part, now it's kinda cooling down.