Tonka Bean Perfumes and Fragrance Notes

A woody, oriental fragrance

Tonka bean, tonkin beans or tonquin beans as they are sometimes known, are black in colour, shrivelled on the outside, but smooth and brown on the inside. Tonka bean perfumes are strong and woody, but also feature a complex combination of sweet and spicy with intoxicating notes of tobacco. It can be described as similar to sweet woodruff as they both have high content of coumarin, which is found in the seed and is the chemical responsible for the pleasant scent. It is not recommended to eat the seed as it is bitter and if consumed in large quantities can cause untold health issues including liver damage and paralysis of the heart.

Where the Tonka Bean comes from

The seeds are derived from the Dipteryx Odorata (common names; Brazilian Teak, Kumaru and Cumaru) which is a species of tree from the Fabaceae, in the pea family.

It can grow up to 30 metres and the trunk can have a diameter of up to 1 metre. The bark is smooth and grey, whilst the wood is red. The leaves are leathery, dark green in colour and glossy. It has pink flowers. The fruit that grows each contains just one Tonka Bean.

How it is used

In the 1940’s the natural coumarin found in the Tonka Bean was synthesised. The artificial version became a substitute for vanilla in artificial flavouring. Since then, in America, any foods containing Tonka Bean has been classed as adulterated due to its toxicity and banned for use in foods.

In contrast, the French use it in food such as stews and desserts, to give a combination of a sweet, nutty flavours such as vanilla, clove, cinnamon, almond and amaretto. Coumarin can also be found in liquorice, strawberries, cherries and lavender.

Tonka Bean Perfumes: The strong scent is commonly used in both women’s and men’s perfumes and fragrances.

Medicine: A chemical derivative of courmarin is used in anti-coagulant drugs, such as warfarin.

Home Uses: As mentioned the tree is also known as Brazilian Teak, which is a popular hardwood used for flooring due to its attractive colour variations and durability. In the past it has also been used in making scented pot pourri as well as being layered between clothes to add an inviting fragrance.

Men’s Fragrances containing Tonka bean