| Dipteryx odorata | |
|---|---|
| Tonka Beans | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Genus: | Dipteryx |
| Species: | D. odorata |
| Binomial name | |
| Dipteryx odorata (Aubl.) Willd. |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Coumarouna odorata Aubl. |
|
Dipteryx odorata (commonly known as "cumaru" or "kumaru") is a species of flowering tree in the pea family, Fabaceae, that is native to the Orinoco region of northern South America. Its seeds are known as Tonka Beans. They are black and wrinkled and have a smooth brown interior. Their fragrance is reminiscent of vanilla, almonds, cinnamon, and cloves.
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 for tree, kumarú. The tree is native to the Orinoco region of Guyana.
The Tonka seed contains coumarin, a chemical first isolated from this plant, and named for it. Coumarin is responsible for the pleasant odor of the seeds, and is used in the perfume industry. Coumarin is bitter to the taste, however, and in large oral doses can cause liver damage in rodents. It is therefore controlled as a food additive by many governments. Like a number of other plants, the Tonka Bean plant probably produces coumarin as a defense chemical.
Radio-carbon dating of D. odorata stumps left by a large logging operation near Manaus by Niro Higuchi, Jeffrey Chambers and Joshua Schimel, showed that it was one of around 100 species which definitely live to over 1,000 years. Until their research, it had been assumed unlikely that any Amazonian tree could live to great age due to the conditions of the rain forest.[1]
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Tonka Beans had been used as a vanilla substitute, as a perfume, and in tobacco before being banned in some countries. They are used in some French cuisine (particularly, in desserts and stews) and in perfumes. Today, main producers of the seeds are Venezuela and Nigeria.
Its use in food is banned in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration.[2] Many anticoagulant prescription drugs, such as warfarin, are based on 4-hydroxycoumarin, a chemical derivative of coumarin initially isolated from this bean. Coumarin itself, however, does not have anticoagulant properties.
The beans were formerly also spelled "Tonquin"[3] and "Tonkin",[4] although it has no connection with Tonkin, now part of Vietnam.
Soap companies, like Lush, are using Tonka as part of a vanilla smelling soap product. Thorntons has produced a variety of milk chocolate made with tonka-infused cocoa butter, winning the Academy of Chocolate's Silver Award in 2009.[5]
Tonquin is still used today to flavor some pipe tobaccos like Dunhill Royal Yacht and Samuel Gawith 1792 Flake.
Cumaru, also known as Brazilian Teak, is an increasingly popular hardwood used for flooring in the US. It has a very appealing natural color variation and is considered quite durable as it has a 3540 rating on the Janka Hardness Scale.
In the Pagan and Occult communities the Tonka Bean is considered to have magical properties and uses. One who practices magical arts believe that by crushing a Tonka Bean and steeping it in an herbal brew or tea it will help cure ailments of depression, disorientation, confusion, and suicidal behavior, as well as boosting the immune system.
It is also believed by some practitioners of various occult traditions that Tonka Beans can grant or help one fulfill desires and wishes by using the bean in a variety of methods[6]. Such methods include holding the bean in your hand while whispering your wish or desire then carrying it with you until your wish or desire is fulfilled, then burying the bean afterwards; another common method is by making your wish with the bean in your hand then stomping on it afterwards. Other methods include making your wish then planting it in fertile earth, when and as the plant grows so does your wish so become fulfilled.
Media related to [//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Dipteryx_odorata Dipteryx odorata] at Wikimedia Commons Data related to Dipteryx odorata at Wikispecies