Honey Frankincense from Ogaden 50 g – Natural Incense Resin

Honey Frankincense, also known as honey incense or honey resin, is a special blend of natural frankincense resins from the Ogaden region of eastern Ethiopia, near the Somali border. When burned as incense, it releases an unusually soft, sweet and spicy fragrance reminiscent of honey, accompanied by resinous, slightly pine-like notes.

The name honey frankincense refers exclusively to its fragrance: the blend contains neither honey nor added fragrance ingredients. According to the specialist importer Mothers Goods, it consists entirely of natural resins from different frankincense trees.

A distinctive frankincense blend from Ogaden

Honey Frankincense differs from the familiar frankincense varieties sorted according to individual tree species. According to the importer, the resins are collected together from three to four different types of trees, forming a natural blend.

The local names Mirafur, Muqlo and Gunro refer to the different resin types found in this blend. They cannot be equated with clearly identified botanical species. Mothers Goods classifies honey frankincense as Boswellia rivae on its website. An earlier description, however, mentioned both Boswellia neglecta and Boswellia rivae.

The distinctive character of this incense comes from the interaction between the different resins. Unlike a single-variety frankincense, its fragrance does not originate from just one botanically identified type of resin.

Why is this frankincense called Honey Frankincense?

The name Honey Frankincense, or Honigweihrauch in German, was chosen by Georg Huber, the frankincense specialist and importer behind Mothers Goods. It describes the striking honey-like sweetness that becomes apparent when this resin blend is burned.

It is therefore a descriptive trade name rather than a traditional local designation or a distinct botanical variety of frankincense. The honey-like fragrance comes from the natural aromatic properties of the resins used, without the addition of honey or other fragrance ingredients.

Fragrance profile – honey-sweet, spicy and resinous

When gently heated, Honey Frankincense releases a sweet fragrance reminiscent of honey, mingling with spicy and resinous notes. In the background, a fresh, pine-like nuance provides a distinctive contrast to the warm sweetness.

Its special character lies in this combination: the familiar resinous foundation of frankincense remains present, while the honey-like sweetness stands out clearly. The spicy and pine-like facets prevent the fragrance from becoming exclusively sweet.

As this is a blend of different natural resins, the fragrance nuances may develop somewhat differently depending on the piece used and the temperature.

A natural incense with its own distinctive character

Frankincense has been valued as an aromatic incense material in different cultures for thousands of years. Particularly in the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, resins from various Boswellia species have a long history of trade and use.

Honey Frankincense belongs to this wider family of natural frankincense resins, but its particular combination gives it a distinctive fragrance character. The history of frankincense in general cannot automatically be applied to this specific blend.

For enthusiasts of different frankincense varieties, honey frankincense offers an interesting opportunity to discover the aromatic diversity of the genus Boswellia. In particular, its combination of honey-like sweetness, spiciness and pine-like freshness distinguishes it from many other types of frankincense.

How to burn Honey Frankincense

The resin blend is suitable both for traditional incense burning on charcoal and for gentler heating on a suitable incense burner.

• On incense charcoal: Place a few small resin pieces on fully glowing incense charcoal. Begin with a small amount and add more resin as required. Direct heat produces more substantial smoke.
• On an incense burner: Slowly warm the resin pieces at a moderate temperature, preferably using an adjustable heat source. This allows the sweet, spicy and pine-like fragrance nuances to be appreciated more distinctly.
• In incense blends: Honey Frankincense can also be combined with other natural incense materials. However, to discover its distinctive fragrance, it is advisable to burn the resin blend on its own first.

The resin pieces vary in size and can be broken into smaller fragments as required. Small fragments are particularly suitable for measuring out modest quantities.

Product characteristics

• Product: Honey Frankincense / Honigweihrauch / Honigharz
• Botanical classification: blend of natural Boswellia resins; listed by the importer under Boswellia rivae
• Local resin names: Mirafur, Muqlo and Gunro
• Origin: Ogaden, Ethiopia, near the Somali border
• Material: natural frankincense resins without added honey or fragrance ingredients
• Form: irregular resin pieces of varying sizes
• Appearance: greyish-brown to dark brown pieces, sometimes with amber-coloured or golden-yellow areas and powdery surfaces
• Fragrance character: honey-like sweetness, spicy, resinous and slightly pine-like
• Net contents: 50 g
• Use: for burning on charcoal or on a suitable incense burner

For incense burning only. Place the incense vessel on a stable, heat-resistant surface and never leave it unattended. Use the resin sparingly, avoid directly inhaling the smoke and ventilate the room thoroughly after burning the incense. Keep children and pets away from the heat source.