Benzoin

Benzoin, also called “benzoin balsam”, is a resin that comes from various plants of the styrax genus. Benzoin originates from Indochina, but is also found in Greece, Laos or the Middle East. Benzoin comes in the form of solid but fragile pieces. Depending on its origin, it has a dark brown, gray, black or white color. Benzoin has long been used in incense blends. It has a protective and purifying effect. Benzoin gives off a warm, vanilla, woody scent that can resemble caramel or cocoa butter.

Benzoin, a suave vanilla facet

Siam benzoin is particularly sought after by perfume creators. It offers a very vanilla and suave facet but also different facets such as caramel, roasted almond, roasted coffee, honey... Benzoin is mainly used in oriental, amber or gourmand perfumes. It brings roundness and warmth, but also very sensual vanilla notes. It is, moreover, an excellent fixative. A legendary perfume that pays great tribute to it is Shalimar by Guerlain. Here, benzoin is found in the base notes with vanilla, sandalwood and tonka bean. In the heart notes, there is jasmine, carnation, rose, ylang-ylang. For the top notes, one can detect tarragon, bergamot, lemon as well as a few green notes. The result is perfect. This journey into the far reaches of the Orient brings harmony and sensuality.

Benzoin and its olfactory pairings

Because of its vanilla, even caramel, scent, benzoin is also used in gourmand, sweet perfumes. It is often paired with vanilla, labdanum, amber fragrances as well as other spices such as cinnamon. Benzoin is also found paired with floral fragrances. These are its main pairings, because despite its appeal, benzoin is not so easy to blend. It is nonetheless found in some very great perfumes. This is the case with the Van Cleef & Arpels perfume Ambre Impérial. Here, benzoin is a heart note, accompanied by cinnamon bark. In the top notes, one discovers bergamot and pink pepper. In the base notes, amber and tonka bean are detected. Here, the result is very voluptuous, sensual and addictive. Ambre Impérial is at once sweet and spicy. Benzoin thus fits in here, with its two favored scents.

Benzoin resin has existed since antiquity, where it was, among other things, used to purify the atmosphere. Today, benzoin is an important element of international perfumery. With its sweet scent reminiscent of vanilla, caramel or roasted almonds, benzoin is particularly used in oriental perfumes. It is nonetheless found paired with amber fragrances such as labdanum, or with floral fragrances such as lily of the valley or rose.