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Dipteryx odorata: Difference between revisions

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Change in asterisks: "and was commonly used in tobacco before being banned *in some countries*." Tonquin/tonka extract is still used in some tobacco products made in the UK.
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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 was commonly used in tobacco before being banned.
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 was commonly used in tobacco before being banned in some countries.


The seed contains [[coumarin]], which can be lethal in large doses. For this reason its use in food is banned in the US by the [[Food and Drug Administration]] (FDA) and also in the UK by the [[Food Standards Agency]] (FSA). Many anti-coagulant prescription drugs are based on more powerful forms of coumarin.
The seed contains [[coumarin]], which can be lethal in large doses. For this reason its use in food is banned in the US by the [[Food and Drug Administration]] (FDA) and also in the UK by the [[Food Standards Agency]] (FSA). Many anti-coagulant prescription drugs are based on more powerful forms of coumarin.

Revision as of 19:32, 16 February 2009

Tonka bean
Tonka Beans
Scientific classification
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D. odorata
Binomial name
Dipteryx odorata

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, almonds, cinnamon, and cloves: it has sometimes been used commercially as a substitute for vanilla. It is also sometimes used in perfume and was commonly used in tobacco before being banned in some countries.

The seed contains coumarin, which can be lethal in large doses. For this reason its use in food is banned in the US by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and also in the UK by the Food Standards Agency (FSA). Many anti-coagulant prescription drugs are based on more powerful forms of coumarin.

The plant has its origin in Northern South America (Guyana, Orinoco region). Main producers today are Venezuela and also Nigeria.