Tonka Beans

I recently posted information on Citadelle Gin, a gin that was just introduced to me. The gin has a pleasant aroma of springtime gardens. In one of the recipes I listed, Citadelle Gin and Tonic, grated Tonka bean was listed as a finishing garnish. Thanks to Amazon.com, I was able to purchase these Tonka beans.

Tonka beans are a large seed from the “Kumaru” tree. The seed has sometimes been used in place of vanilla. It has a sweet aroma reminiscent of vanilla, almonds, cinnamon and cloves. Tonka beans contain coumarin, an ingredient that is suspected of being toxic and carcinogenic. Due to the coumarin, Tonka beans have been banned by the FDA from being used in food products in the United States.

In addition to being used as a vanilla substitute, Tonka beans were sometimes used to flavor tobacco and may also be found in perfume due to its pleasant scent.