Tonka

Description

Tonka beans are seeds of the Dipteryx odorata tree, also known as “cumaru“, “kumaru” or “Brazilian teak”. After harvesting the fruit, the seeds are removed, dried, and seasoned, giving rise to these black and wrinkled, smooth and brown broad beans inside.

The essence of the tonka bean comes from coumarin. When tonka beans are dried, small colorless crystals of coumarin can be extracted.

Although coumarin has a bitter taste, its scent is pleasantly sweet and aromatic. Coumarin gives tonka bean its sweet smell, similar to that of vanilla. 

Traces of coumarin are also found in other plants, such as vanilla, cinnamon, clover, lavender, strawberries, apricots, and also honey. So even if you smell tonka for the first time, you might find the aroma vaguely familiar.

In some cultures, the tonka bean is considered an aphrodisiac and has been nicknamed the “desire bean”.

The tonka bean absolute extracted from beans has been used in traditional medicines for its antiseptic, anticoagulant, and anti-inflammatory properties. It was once used as a tonic to treat a number of conditions, such as cramps, nausea, spasms, swelling, and even tuberculosis.

In aromatherapy, it is believed that the pleasant scent of tonka bean helps to calm the mind and ward off negative thoughts. Its aroma becomes more noticeable with the passage of time, which makes fragrances containing tonka bean particularly suitable for creating relaxing environments and even promoting sleep.

WARNING: Coumarin is cataloged as an allergenic substance. Please avoid its use if you suspect being allergic to it