Peruvian copal resin

 

Second review - scroll down for earlier

I've been working through a box of resins, most of which I bought in 2018, some of which I've never reviewed, and have just reviewed two batches of gum dammar - one from The Scenter (now closed), and one from Goloka. And now I'm coming back to this copal resin bought from Native-Spirit (now closed - seems that selling resin is not a secure business, though a lot of people get into it). I'm struck by the similarities between the two resins, though I'm inclining more toward the copal as being an incense of more character and fragrance. Yes, there's light citric notes, but also something more malty and musky, inclining toward amber. Herbal and interesting. And somewhat more cleansing and uplifting than the dammar. 

Date: Sept 2025   Score: 31  

First review

Bought from Native-Spirit on eBay for £4.85 including postage [dead link].  Native-Spirit is a branch of Nanook Trading, which is a German based company founded by Alex and Armin [dead link]. Copal is similar to frankincense and amber - it is a resin extracted from certain trees when they are cut or damaged.  This copal resin is imported from Peru, where it is harvested from the Copal tree. It has been used as ceremonial incense in the central and northern parts of South America (Mesoamerica) going back to the Pre-Columbian era. It is used as a cleansing agent in Sacred Mushroom ceremonies, and Mexican Sweat Lodges.

We found it to be an interesting incense. The scents initially reminded us of curry - with notes of fenugreek, coriander, and star anise. It is citric, herbal, suggestive now and again of banana. Always mildly savoury and food related. We are reminded of Moroccan or African spiced food. It is mildly pleasant and intriguing, though not something dreamy or aesthetic. It is natural scent, not offensive, but not something you would burn purely for the pleasure of the scent - you would use this as a cleansing or invigorating agent, either as part of an incense mix you were making yourself, or as part of a personal, sacred, or therapeutic practise.

Thomas Kinkele, the German author of  Incense And Incense Rituals, says of copal: "distinguished by a bright and clear somewhat lemony/aromatic grace ... it purifies the inner attitude and supports mental/spiritual work."

The lumps melt and bubble gently as it smoulders - taking a little while for the scent to arise, and when they do it is clean, fresh and interesting, though it gets a smoky and rough toward the end of the burn when it catches at the edges. And when we'd had enough I found it difficult to clean off my burner as it clings stubbornly to the plate. I added a little water, and found that stops the smoking and scorching, retuning the scent back to its fresh state.

We found this interesting and uplifting, though not a resin I am likely to burn that often as we burn mostly for the scent. 


Date: June 2018   Score: 27

***

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