Copal resin

Harvesters approach mature Protium or Bursera trees in the dry forests of Oaxaca. They tap the bark with a sharp blade, creating a shallow incision that encourages the tree to exude gum‑resin. Within hours, the viscous droplets harden into amber shards. Workers collect the shards, sort them by color, and wash away bark debris with clean water. They then grind the raw resin into a fine powder and blend it with a food‑grade solvent such as ethanol. The mixture rests for several days, allowing soluble aromatic compounds to dissolve while insoluble fibers settle. After filtration, the solution evaporates under controlled temperature, leaving a dark, oily resinoid that captures Copal's characteristic woody‑resinous notes. The final product retains the natural complexity of the raw gum while offering consistent performance in alcohol‑based perfume bases.