Copal is the name for hardened tree resins burned as incense, and for thousands of years it has been sacred across Mesoamerica. Our Mayan Copal, sold under the name our supplier has always used, is Agathis resin from Indonesia. On charcoal it gives off a sweet, husky, resinous smoke.
In Mexico, copal fills churches year-round and homes during Día de los Muertos, when its familiar scent is said to guide visiting souls home.
Choose: pieces and powder, or pure powder, in the size you need.
How to burn
- Light a charcoal disc in a heat-proof bowl filled with sand, and wait until it glows and ashes over.
- Place a pea-sized piece or a pinch of powder on top.
- Add more as the smoke fades.
Burn in a ventilated room, never leave hot charcoal unattended, and let the bowl cool before handling.
New to resin incense? Read our guide:
