Benzoin is perhaps the sweetest natural resin available. This incense is impressive when burned correctly, but spicy and harsh when burned incorrectly. Please take care, this resins burns at a low temperature, so must be placed next to the incense charcoal, or on top of an insulating mica plate.
This particular kind of Benzoin comes from the first flush of resin after the rains. It is light in colour and weight, and has the sharpest, most floral vanilla scent of all the Styrax resins.
Authentic Benzoin is becoming hard to find at reasonable price, and often comes adulterated. This resin has been taken from trees maintained for their religious value, so that we can trust the sanctity and maintenance of the forest cover the Styrax trees provide.
Gum Benjamin is different from Storax (often sold as "Styrax"), derived from species of Liquidambar. The incenses have become muddled in history.
As well as being a religious commodity, Benzoin has been utilised in perfumes and incenses as it has been for centuries.
