Tonka bean
Tonka beans, sometimes also called tonka beans (beans), are the fermented seeds of a sylvatic tree that grows in Central America and northern South America.
Tonka has historically been used in perfumery and the tobacco industry as a substitute for vanilla. Tonka beans (sometimes also tonka beans or just tonka) are spices with a specific smell. Despite its name, it is not a type of bean or bean, but the fermented seeds of a tree called Dipteryx odorata.
Description: Individual "beans" are roughly 25-30 millimetres long and weigh around 1 gram. They have a black bumpy surface, they are light inside.
Aroma: The aroma of whole seeds is sharper and closer to bitter almonds. After grating, it resembles nougat, white chocolate, roasted nuts with a touch of vanilla. Notes of sour cherry, clove or cinnamon are also mentioned. Furthermore, the aroma can vary depending on whether the spice is used for a cold or hot dish.
Occurrence: The spice comes from the northern part of South America. The name tonka comes from the Galibi (Carib) language spoken by the natives of French Guiana. It also appears in Tupi, another language used in the area.
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USE:
✅In gastronomy, tonka is used grated or in the form of a pickle.
✅It is mainly used in the production of sweet pastries, desserts and ice cream, it appears in many recipes of French cuisine.
✅It is also used in perfumery and pharmacy.
✅Coumarin, a raw material for the production of anticoagulants, is obtained from the seeds.