Character
The Story of Frankincense CO2 absolute
Frankincense CO2 absolute captures the crisp, resinous heart of Boswellia resin, delivering a clear, slightly citrus edge with warm woody depth, ideal for modern and classic compositions.
Heritage
Frankincense has been prized since antiquity, appearing in Egyptian tombs as early as 2500 BCE where it scented sacred oils. Persian chemists refined early distillation techniques, allowing the first alcohol‑based perfumes to carry frankincense aroma beyond oily bases. Trade routes carried Boswellia resin from the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa to Mediterranean markets, where it featured in religious rites and royal courts. By the 10th century, Islamic scholars documented the resin's calming properties and its use in incense blends for prayer. The 19th‑century rise of modern perfumery saw steam distillation replace older methods, yet the delicate profile suffered loss of bright top notes. In the late 20th century, supercritical CO2 extraction revived interest, delivering a clear, stable absolute that honors the ancient scent while meeting contemporary formulation standards.
At a Glance
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Feature this note
Somalia
Primary source region
Ingredient Details
Supercritical CO2 extraction
Resin
Did You Know
"A single Boswellia tree can produce up to 2 kg of resin each year, yet only a fraction becomes CO2 absolute, making it one of the most resource‑intensive natural extracts used in perfumery."

