Tonka Beans – Sweet, Intoxicating Aromas of South America

09/28/08 11:40:32

Tonka or Dipterih Odorata is one of the most common ingredients in perfumery, soap production and tobacco additives for improving aromas. It belongs to Fabriceae family of plants, which grows in South America. The largest producers are Venezuela, Guyana and Brazil.

Tonka was introduces in 1793 in France, where it was cultivated. It grows as a tropical tree with purple flowers and each flower develops into one Tonka fruit, which contains one bean (dark pip).

The beans are black and have wizened surface, with dark brown interior. Its aromas are characteristic, they remind of vanilla, cinnamon, saffron, almond and cloves and they are often used as a replacement for vanilla. Its olfactive impression has a powdery effect, with sweet, intensive, balmy, warm, gourmand and intoxicating character.

Tonka contains characteristics of tobacco and amber, and it belongs to oriental category. It is best combined with patchouli, rose, sandalwood, lemon skin and lavender.

The name Tonka originates from the Galibi language, which is spoken by all inhabitants of French Guyana, from the word tonqua or tonquin – bean. This name also appears in the Tupi language, which is spoken in the same region, while its old name is Coumarouna – from kumaru tree, which was later changed into coumarin.

Tonka bean absolute is extracted by process of soaking the beans in rum, from 12 to 24 hours, and then they are dried. During the process of drying, white crystals of coumarin (powdery, icy crystals wrapping the surface of beans) appear on the beans, and they intensify aromas of essential oil during extraction.

Coumarin was discovered by chemical processes in 1868 and its molecules were marked with Latin name, Dipterix Coumarou, which is very important in building perfume compositions, esp. Fougere fragrances for men. (Read more on Fougere fragrances).

Tonka beans are forbidden for eating in the USA by FDA - Food and Drug Administration, since larger doses of these beans might be lethal. Tonka contains coumarin, which is a common additive in drugs and other opiates. However, there are numerous old recipes which include coumarin aromas, and some sauces, cakes and ice-creams are still made of them. Natural coumarin has been completely replaced by synthetic one in today's time.

Compositions for women that contain sweet, balmy and gourmand aromas of Tonka are: Lolita Lempicka - Lolita and L, Thierry Mugler - Angel, Givenchy - Ange ou Demon, Dior Addict, Chopard Cashmir, La Prairie - Silver Rain, as well as many others, while the editions for men containing Tonka are: Thierry Mugler- A*men, Dior Fahrenheit, Jean Paul Gaultier - Le Male, YSL - L'Homme, Givenchy - Pi, Lolita Lempicka - Au Masculin etc.

Source: Tonka-Wiki, Uni-Graz