Mpafu (Canarium schweinfurthii) from Uganda

Scientific name: Canarium schweinfurthii

Family: Burseraceae

Origin of harvest: Uganda

I discovered this resin on a trip to Congo in 2013, subsequently exported in large quantities in 2014.

The resin of this tree is also collected in Uganda, although it has slight variations, both in structure and aroma.

Spicy, peppery, strong balsamic hints of turpentine.

Used by local populations as an incense substitute for Boswellia and to help light fires, in some villages inside the forests and along the rivers they use it to insulate boats.