Whether in cooking or perfumery, Tonka Bean has always been a highly sought-after product.
Indeed, these beans were considered small “treasures” and were once used as a form of currency.
Among the indigenous people of the Amazon, Tonka Bean is a lucky charm and was primarily used as a traditional remedy for nausea and coughs.
Tonka Bean in Perfumes
Tonka Bean resembles a small brown almond, varying in darkness depending on its maturity. It is actually a seed contained within the fruit of the cumaru tree, a tropical tree also known as Dipteryx odorata. The word cumaru is derived from coumarin, which is the name of the primary molecule that makes up Tonka Bean.
This tree belongs to the Fabaceae botanical family and can grow up to 30 meters tall. Primarily cultivated for its wood and Tonka beans, the cumaru tree blooms in late February before bearing fruit. It is grown in the tropical forests of South America, particularly in Venezuela, Guyana, and Brazil.
The Raw Material from the Tonka Bean
The ripe fruits are collected from the ground and cracked open with a hammer to extract the seed inside. The beans are then left to dry in the sun, darkening to an almost black color before being transported to the factory.
Once at the factory, the beans are macerated in alcohol until the liquid evaporates. Crystals form around the beans, a process known as frosting. Next, the beans are placed in an extractor, where they are macerated and washed with hexane, a volatile solvent. The hexane captures the aromatic molecules within the beans. The solvent is then removed through heating and filtration, leaving behind a paste known as “concrète.”
This extraction method is called solvent extraction. The concrète is then washed with alcohol and filtered to remove waxes, ultimately yielding Tonka Bean Absolute.
Tonka Bean from the Perfumer’s Perspective
Tonka Bean Absolute belongs to the amber olfactory family, known for its richness and balsamic notes. It blends perfectly with fougère accords and warm notes.
In perfumes, Tonka Bean is primarily expressed in the heart and base notes.
Soft vanilla and almond notes intertwine with hay, praline, and nuts, evoking the memory of Amaretto at teatime. Pure indulgence!
Some fragrances around the Tonka Bean
- Jicky – Guerlain – 1889
- Vétiver Tonka – Hermès – 2004
- Hoggar – Yves Rocher – 2005
- Armani Code – Giorgio Armani – 2006
- Tonka Impériale – Guerlain – 2010
- Tonka – Solinotes – 2018
- Velvet Tonka – BDK parfums – 2021
- Tonka Blanc – L’Artisan Parfumeur – 2022
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