Peru Balsam

Peru balsam is a dark brown, thick resin from the Myroxylon tree, which grows in South and Central America, as well as the West Indies. The resin is extracted by burning the bark of the tree, which releases the sap that is then collected and boiled. The aroma is described as woody and spicy with typical notes of cinnamon, vanilla, and clove, slightly darker and more bitter than its "twin" Tolu balsam, which comes from the same tree but is extracted differently.