Wood Resin

Harvesters locate mature agarwood, sandalwood, or frankincense trees that have begun to exude resin after infection or injury. They cut the resin‑filled heartwood into manageable blocks and dry them in shaded rooms for weeks. Once dry, technicians grind the blocks into a coarse powder. For agarwood, they press the powder in a stainless steel vessel and run supercritical CO₂ at 300 bar and 40 °C, which pulls out the aromatic molecules without degrading heat‑sensitive notes. The CO₂ stream then depressurizes, leaving a clear amber liquid that solidifies into resin crystals. For frankincense, producers apply steam distillation: steam passes through shredded resin, vapor carries volatile oils, and a condenser returns them to a fragrant water‑soluble essential oil. Solvent extraction uses ethanol to dissolve resinous compounds; the mixture filters, and the solvent evaporates, leaving a thick, dark absolute. Each method preserves the resin’s fixative power while removing impurities. Final batches undergo quality testing for purity, specific gravity, and aromatic intensity before they enter the perfumer’s palette.