Benzoin
32 fragrances with this note
Part of accords: Amber, Vanilla, Resinous / Balsamic, Oriental
- Latin name
- Styrax tonkinensis (Siam), Styrax benzoin (Sumatra)
- Family
- Storax family (Styracaceae)
- Origin
- Laos, Thailand, Vietnam; Sumatra (Indonesia)
- Parts used
- resin from cuts in the bark
- Raw materials
- resinoid, absolute
- Extraction
- solvent extraction
- Olfactory group
- amber, balsamic
- Position in the pyramid
- base
- Synthetic substitutes
- vanillin, benzyl benzoate, cinnamic esters
Benzoin is the resin of tropical Styrax trees growing in Southeast Asia. Cuts are made in the trunk, and over several months pale “tears” of resin harden there, looking like pieces of caramel.
How it smells: a warm, sweet, balsamic scent with shades of vanilla, caramel and a hint of cinnamon. Siam benzoin (Laos) is softer and more vanillic, Sumatra benzoin darker and more resinous, with a light smokiness.
Benzoin is one of perfumery's “glues”: it fixes other notes, smooths transitions and adds a warm golden sound to a fragrance. The amber accord and most cosy oriental compositions are hard to imagine without it.
What it pairs with: with vanilla and labdanum — classic amber, with incense and myrrh — solemn resinous compositions, with rose — a warm powdery rose, with cinnamon and tonka — gourmand fragrances, with sandalwood — a soft creamy base.
Good to know: benzoin has long been part of church and temple incense, and Siam benzoin naturally contains vanillin — which is why it is often described as “vanilla that grew on a tree”.
Fragrances with Benzoin
