Complex mixtures of organic substances with glassy or solid to viscous properties. Resins that remain liquid after exudation are called balsams, those that harden in the air through evaporation are called hard resins. The intense and pleasant balsamic odour is mainly caused by essential oils, especially terpenes. Most natural resins come from coniferous woods. A clear distinction must be made between resins and vegetable gums such as gum arabic, which are not resins and belong to other substance classes.

1 = drop of resin, 2 = myrrh, 3 = spruce cones
Various resins such as myrrh were used in ancient times to flavour wine and other drinks. The best-known resin-flavoured wine is Greek retsina. The Greek historian Herodotus (ca. 482-425 BC) reported that the Greeks chewed the dried resinous liquid of the mastic tree.
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Egon Mark
Diplom-Sommelier, Weinakademiker und Weinberater, Volders (Österreich)