Balzamične note

What balsams are

Balsams are resinous exudates that form on certain trees and shrubs, particularly in genera such as Myroxylon, Abies, Copaifera, Styrax and Populus. Balsams may form naturally after injury to bark or wood tissues. Myroxylon, the source of balsam of Peru and balsam of Tolu, is a genus of tree grown in Central America and South America.

Benzoin and storax

Benzoin resin is a balsamic resin obtained from the bark of several species of trees in the genus Styrax. There are two common kinds of benzoin, benzoin Siam and benzoin Sumatra. Benzoin Siam is obtained from Styrax tonkinensis, found across Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Benzoin Sumatra is obtained from Styrax paralleloneurus and Styrax benzoin, which grows predominantly on the island of Sumatra. Styrax benzoin is a species of tree native to Indochina and western Malesia. It is cultivated as a main source of benzoin resin in Indonesia. Storax, often sold commercially as styrax, is a natural fragrant resin isolated from the wounded bark of Liquidambar orientalis (Asia Minor) and Liquidambar styraciflua (Eastern US, Mexico, Central America). It is distinct from benzoin, also called storax, a similar resin obtained from the Styracaceae plant family.

Peru balsam and tolu balsam

Balsam of Peru is a balsam derived from a tree known as Myroxylon balsamum var. pereirae, found in Central and South America. It is an aromatic dark-brown oily fluid. Balsam of Tolu originates from South America (Colombia, Peru, Venezuela) and is tapped from the living trunks of Myroxylon balsamum var. balsamum. It is similar to balsam of Peru and frequently confounded with it. The fresh balsam of Tolu is a brownish, sticky, semifluid mass that gradually becomes a brittle solid but softens again when warm.

Chemistry

Balsams often contain benzoic or cinnamic acid or their esters. The primary active ingredient of benzoin resin is benzoic acid. Unlike Siamese benzoin, Sumatran benzoin contains cinnamic acid in addition to benzoic acid. Balsam of Peru contains 25 or so different substances, including cinnamein, cinnamic acid, cinnamyl cinnamate, benzyl benzoate, benzoic acid and vanillin. It also contains cinnamyl alcohol, cinnamaldehyde, farnesol and nerolidol. Balsam of Tolu contains a fairly large amount of benzyl benzoate and benzyl cinnamate. Purified storax contains about 33-50% storesin, an alcoholic resin, 5-15% cinnamic acid, 5-15% cinnamyl cinnamate and about 10% phenylpropyl cinnamate.

Flavouring uses

Benzoin is used as a flavoring in alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, baked goods, chewing gum, frozen dairy, gelatins, puddings and soft candy.

Safety

Some balsams, such as balsam of Peru, may be associated with allergies. Crude balsam of Peru has been banned as a fragrance compound since 1982 because of allergic reactions, but extracts and distillates are used up to a maximum level of 0.4% in products.

This note in PREMIEREPEAU. Nuit Élastique. Sample all seven extraits in the Discovery Set.

—

Related: Amberwood · Andiroba · Bakhoor · Benzoin Resinoid · Benzyl Benzoate · Benzyl Salicylate · Birch Tar · Blue Amber