Quality | Grade A |
It smells as if vanilla beans, rum, woodruff, hayflower and
bitter almonds have been mixed together. Strictly speaking, the
tonka bean is not a bean at all, but actually the seed of the
South American tonka tree.
Because of its fragrance, the essential oil of the tonka bean
also plays a role in aromatherapy. It is considered
stress-relieving and relaxing. Therefore, it is recommended for
tension, nervousness and sleep disorders, among other things. In
South Africa, no untreated tonka beans are offered for sale. The
coumarin content would be too high. Only after the complex
fermentation process, which reduces the coumarin to an approved
level, are the tonka beans approved for European trade. Coumarin,
an important note in perfumery, has been used in perfumery since
the 19th century. The molecules were given the Latin name
Dipterix Coumarou.
And this is how you make a tonka bean extract yourself:
50ml spirit of wine, or other alcohol
4-5 tonka beans, possibly lightly crushed
in an amber glass and leave to infuse for three to four weeks.
Then strain through a coffee filter.
The result is a wonderful-smelling extract that, with a few
drops, will make any body lotion smell like it's melting away.