Galbanum resinoid

Sharp green like freshly shelled peas, snapped leaves, green bell pepper, damp earth. The resinoid keeps the green edge over a warm, resinous, slightly balsamic base.

Galbanum has no dedicated standard in the IFRA 51 index. Monoterpenes such as β-pinene make up most of the volatile fraction.

The resinoid is powerful and used in small amounts. Store dark, sealed and cool.

Ferula gummosa is a large umbellifer of the Iranian mountains. Harvesters cut the stem at the root crown; resin flows and sets into yellow-brown masses. Iran is the main source of commercial galbanum.

A resinoid is a solvent extract of a dried resin or gum resin. After solvent removal it keeps both the volatile fraction and the non-volatile resin. It is therefore thick, dark, slow to evaporate and works as a fixative.

The characteristic green odour comes from tiny amounts of undecatrienes and methoxypyrazines. Their odour thresholds are extremely low, so despite trace levels they define galbanum.

In perfumery galbanum shapes green florals and green chypres. Chanel No 19 (1971) is often cited as a fragrance with a pronounced galbanum note. The resinoid gives a longer base than the oil and pairs with oakmoss and orris.

Galbanum appears in ancient Middle Eastern texts as an incense ingredient. Supply depends on wild harvest and on international trade conditions with Iran.

Galbanum resinoid is very thick and sticky and is usually diluted before weighing. Because the green odour is so strong, a small amount changes a whole formula; it is typically added drop by drop as a weak solution. It pairs with orris, hyacinth, violet leaf and bergamot. Genuine material can be told from a synthetic accord by its pinenes and warm resin base.