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Zanzibar copal
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Zanzibar copal

resin
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Zanzibar copal is a hard resin derived from the tree Trachylobium verrucosum. It is a type of copal, which are resins obtained from various tropical trees. The name "copal" likely originates from the Nahuatl word copalli, meaning "resin".12

Zanzibar copal is the primary commercial copal and is found embedded in the earth in East Africa, particularly on the western coast of Zanzibar, even in areas where no trees are currently visible. This fossilized resin is known for its hardness and luster, varying in color from nearly colorless to a yellowish-brown. It is used in the manufacture of varnishes and printing inks.2

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