https://gardenology.mywikis.net/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Tonka_bean 2026-04-11T21:20:51Z Revision history for this page on the wiki MediaWiki 1.35.3 https://gardenology.mywikis.net/w/index.php?title=Tonka_bean&diff=5842&oldid=prev 2007-07-14T03:49:11Z

<p></p> <p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Taxobox<br /> | color = lightgreen<br /> | name = Tonka bean<br /> | regnum = [[Plant]]ae<br /> | divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]<br /> | classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]<br /> | ordo = [[Fabales]]<br /> | familia = [[Fabaceae]]<br /> | subfamilia = [[Faboideae]]<br /> | tribus = [[Dipterygeae]]<br /> | genus = ''[[Dipteryx]]''<br /> | species = '''''D. odorata'''''<br /> | binomial = ''Dipteryx odorata''<br /> }}<br /> The '''tonka bean''' is the [[seed]] of ''[[Dipteryx]] odorata'', a [[legume]] tree in the [[neotropics]], of the [[Fabaceae]] family. The seed is black and wrinkled in appearance, with a smooth brown interior. It is known mostly for its fragrance, which is reminiscent of [[vanilla]], [[almond]]s, [[cinnamon]], and [[clove]]s: it has sometimes been used commercially as a substitute for vanilla. It is also sometimes used in [[perfume]] and is commonly used in tobacco. <br /> <br /> The seed contains [[coumarin]], and for this reason its use in food is banned in the US by the [[Food and Drug Administration]] (FDA). Coumarin is an anti-coagulant and can be lethal in large doses. Many anti-coagulant prescription drugs are based on more powerful forms of coumarin. <br /> <br /> To liberate the [[coumarin]], the beans are processed by soaking in [[alcohol]] (rum) for 24 hours and drying, whereby a [[fermentation (food)|fermentation]] process takes place. Afterwards, the [[coumarin]] content may be as high as 10%. [[Coumarin]] crystals are visible under the epidermis of the seed.<br /> <br /> The plant has its origin in Northern South America ([[Guyana]], [[Orinoco]] region). Main producers today are [[Venezuela]] and also [[Nigeria]].<br /> <br /> The word tonka is taken from the [[Galibi]] (Carib) tongue spoken by natives of [[French Guiana]]; it also appears in Tupi, another language of the same region, as the name of the tree. The old genus name, Coumarouna, was formed from another Tupi name of the tonka tree, kumarú. The latter also lies behind the name of tonka's main constituent, [[coumarin]].<br /> <br /> The use of tonka beans (which was never high), has further decreased, since [[coumarin]] is toxic and possibly carcinogenic. In spite of its hypnotic fragrance, the spice is not mentioned often in cookbooks. Some books suggest adding minute amounts of it to the dough of cakes or cookies; sweets based on [[coconut]], [[walnuts]] or [[poppy]] are another possible field of application. Tonka beans are sometimes suggested as a substitute for bitter [[almonds]], especially in countries where usage of bitter almonds is restricted or prohibited by national food laws. Tonka makes an even better substitute for Middle Eastern [[mahlab]] (cherry kernels). It is also used as a flavouring in nasal [[snuff]].<br /> <br /> ==External links==<br /> *[http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_06/21cfr189_06.html CFR Title 21, section 189.130] Code of Federal Regulations section prohibiting coumarin and tonka beans<br /> *[http://www.uni-graz.at/~katzer/engl/Dipt_odo.html Spice Pages: Tonka Beans]<br /> <br /> [[DE: Tonkabohne]]<br /> <br /> [[Category:Trees]]<br /> [[Category:Faboideae]]<br /> [[Category:Flora of Guyana]]<br /> <br /> <br /> {{tree-stub}}</div>

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