PROSES OF PRODUCING SUMATRA GUM BENZOIN

PROCESS OF PRODUCING NATURAL SUMATRA GUM BENZOIN.

Sumatra gum benzoin is dried resin which gained from benzoin trees of 7 years of age. It is warm and has aroma similar to vanilla when dried. The process of tapping and harvesting gum benzoin resin takes one year   By using special knife, the benzoin tree trunk is slightly cut, and then, the  liquid benzoin either accumulates beneath the bark or exudes from the incisions. The incisions are made when the tree is seven years, so that the white gum benzoin resins harden will appear from the skin. After 4 - 6 months since cutting, the gum benzoin resins hardens on the tree trunks at which point' the resin can be harvested. The resin that has been harvested is not clean yet, it must be taken home and cleaned from wastes and dried for 3 to 6 months to remove impurities. After the resin has cleaned from wastes and dried , it is ready for export.

Benzoin trees from which gum benzoin obtained grow a lot in the forest of North Sumatra - Indonesia. It grows to about 12- 30 meters in height and live 70 - 100 years. The tree has grey bark, simple leaves, short and small. The tree grows best in mountenous areas and cold temperatures with high rainfall, but can also grow in low land areas with hot temperatures, but these do not produce good quality gum benzoin resin. Fine qualities have strong odor vanilla like aroma and contains cinnamic acids.

Gum benzoin used in making incense, potpourri, fixative in making parfume, preservative in cosmetic and soap making, lotions and diary products.