Everything you need to know about Tonka beans

Tonka bean, a small black nugget from the Amazon, is a hot and fragrant spice that goes perfectly with your desserts, as well as your daily dishes. Its chocolate and vanilla aromas make it an ideal ally for mixed rums. But by the way, do you know the origin of the tonka bean?

What is tonka bean:

The tonka bean is a seed that comes from a tropical tree called "Dipteryx odorata" which can grow up to 30m tall. This tree also produces a very hard wood better known as Teak.

The fruits are shaped like a small mango and are harvested at the end of winter. Tonka beans are the seeds of fruits that are dried for almost a year.

The preparation process is similar to that of cocoa beans with a first stage of fermentation of the beans inside the fruit. This first step is essential and will give a brown color to the beans.

The beans are then separated from the surrounding fruit and are gradually dried in the shade and then in the sun. Their refining will last for almost a year.

How to recognize a good tonka bean?

First, the size of the bean. The bigger the bean, the more ripe the fruit has been picked.

The quality of the preparation can be recognized by the color of the bean. You only need to scrape the bean a little with the must to see on the one hand if it has a pleasant scent and on the other hand if it has a not too dark cream color.

How to use the Tonka bean?

The Tonka bean can be used whole in marinades, infusions or prepared rum mixes.

In most dishes, it is grated or ground.

Pay attention to the dosage because the taste of the tonka bean is quite powerful.

  The aromas of the Tonka bean are reminiscent of those of vanilla, caramel or even cocoa.

Tonka beans are generally used in sweet preparations, but they are also very suitable to enhance the taste of certain meats such as veal and poultry.

The many virtues of the tonka bean.

Tonka beans don't just have culinary uses. They are also widely used in the perfume sector.

Did you know that tonka bean can help fight fatigue and loss of tone? It also helps calm coughs and relieve sore throats.

Be careful not to overdo it because it can be toxic if you consume it in high doses due to its high coumarin content.

Tonka beans are now available on our online store:

Many of you asked us to offer you tonka beans and we have selected the best beans from the Amazon for you.

A guarantee of quality, Sambavanilla strives to offer you the best products at affordable prices.

Explore our online store and don't hesitate to contact us for more information.