What is the Tonka Bean?

The tonka bean is the seed contained in the fruit of the Dypterix Odorata, a tree that can grow up to 30 metres high. It is also known as coumarou, coumaron or coumarin.

Once ripe, the fruit falls from the top of the canopy onto the ground and is picked up and dried. When opening the fruit, which resembles a small mango, we discover ebony-coloured beans.

Did you know? The main aromatic molecule of the tonka bean, coumarin, when saturated with essential oils, crystallizes on the surface, a sign of excellent quality (frosted tonka bean).

The harvest of the Tonka Beans of Amazonia

The Dipteryx Odorata is an emergent tree (which stands out from the other trees) that is also called Brazilian teak. It can grow to almost 30 metres.

The tonka bean tree needs well-drained soil and a tropical climate. It is in bloom from March to May. The harvest extends from June to September depending on the region. The whole ripening process lasts one year. The bean is black in colour.

To harvest the bean, which in Brazil is called "Cumaru", the shell has to be broken. A good quality tonka bean is about 3 cm long and 1 cm wide.

David Vanille's choice: What makes the difference between the Tonka Beans from Brazil that I'm offering and the others? These Tonka Beans were imported directly from Amazonia (via Sao Paulo). I asked my collector to select only the rarest quality, the largest beans, ebony in color. They develop aromas of caramel, vanilla and coffee

My goal: to offer you a quality you won't find elsewhere in stores or on the Internet

The origins of the tonka bean

The tonka bean is native to Latin America. We find the first written traces of its name in 1775. It is a French scientist, Jean-Baptiste Aublet, who introduced it to Mauritius by planting Brazilian teak.

In the 19th century, Alexander Von Humbold discovered the tonka bean in an original way. During a trip to Venezuela, he was surprised by the pleasant smell of freshly washed linen. The natives told him their secret: the tonka bean.

For a long time neglected in our kitchens, the tonka bean was mainly used in pastry making. Today, it has established itself as a bewitching spice and seduces the greatest chefs.

The tonka bean nowadays

The production of the tonka bean is highly dependent on the climate. Currently, it varies between 60 and 100 tons per year. One tree can produce about 15 kilos of beans per year.

Did you know that? The coumarin comes from the tonka bean in the form of crystals when the beans are dried.

Other uses

The tonka bean isn't just for cooking. It contains a substance, coumarin, which is one of the essential components in the manufacture of certain perfumes and cosmetics. Some tobacco companies also use it to flavor their tobacco. The tonka bean is also used to perfume clothes by slipping small bags of beans into linen cloths.

The tonka bean is also considered a good luck charm by the Amazonian Indians.

Did you know that? Guerlinade, the perfume created by Jacques Guerlain in 1921, contains tonka bean, which gives it this olfactory richness with sweet and gourmand notes.

How to use the tonka bean in the kitchen?

If the Tonka Bean from Brazil presents an aromatic palette oriented towards sweet and sensual notes that spontaneously make us to tasty sweet desserts, you can also use it in many savoury recipes.

You will be able to use it in all recipes requiring the use of vanilla. As regards its dosage, you should be sparing with the Tonka Bean from Brazil, as its aromatic power will be even stronger when you cool your preparation. In this respect, it can be said that Brazilian Tonka Bean is undeniably an economical spice!

Tip: Play with the low-temperature maceration of your Tonka Beans. You'll work miracles!

Our recipe ideas with tonka bean

Would you like to discover the soft and sweet aromas of the tonka bean in your kitchen? Here are a few culinary ideas that should please you!

The starter: Scallop Carpaccio

A light entry that respects the product! The tonka bean brings an aroma of almond and vanilla. Thinly slice your scallops, salt, pepper and grate a little tonka bean. A delight!

The dish : Duck breast with pepper and tonka sauce

A rustic dish that is softened with a few broken tonka beans. Slice in the fat of the duck breast. Make a notch along the length of your duck breast without cutting it completely in half. Insert some well seasoned semi-cooked foie gras. Cook the duck breast skin-side down on a high heat. Once cooked, grate some tonka beans in the meat juice. Add a few black pepper berries. Leave to thicken. Coat your duck breast with the sauce. Serve with a few small roasted potatoes.

Dessert: Grilled exotic fruit and tonka bean skewer

Pineapple, mango, peaches... here, fruit is eaten hot. Cut them into squares and prick them on a skewer. Grill them over high heat. They must remain firm. Add a little grated tonka bean after grilling. It will add a gourmet note to this light dessert.

How to store the tonka bean?

The tonka bean should be stored in an airtight container, preferably a jar. It should be kept dry, away from heat and light. It is grated like a nutmeg and can, once opened, be put back in its container.