TONKA BEAN ABSOLUTE (DIPTERYX ODORATA) - ESSENTIAL OILS

Botanical Name: Dipteryx Odorata

Common names: Tonkin Bean, Cumaru, Kumaru

Common Method of Extraction: Solvent Extracted Absolute

Part Typically Used: Dried Beans (Seeds)

Color: Off-white to brown

Consistency: Very thick paste-like mass that is solid at room temperature

Perfumery Note: Middle, Excellent Fixative

Strength of Initial Aroma: Very rich, caramel-like, powdery-sweet of new mown hay with a warm herbal and soft tobacco-like undertone

Tonka Beans or seeds are removed from the fruit before drying and then left to soak in alcohol for anything up to 24 hours where they will expand in size. After removal from the alcohol, the Tonka Beans appear black, shrivelled and shrink in size. A white powder which accumulates on the exterior is actually natural Coumarin. In fact, before synthetic Coumarin was created, Tonka was the main source of this material.

Tonka Bean Absolute is one of the finest perfume ingredients for fixation of natural perfumes.  It can add a natural gourmand effect in white flower accords, such as tuberose, and also harmonizes well with vanilla, leather and tobacco notes. The profile is reminiscent of Caramel, Almond and Vanilla.Naturally occurring coumarin in Tonka Beans is considered safe for dermal use, and is not carcinogenic, not phototoxic, and not an allergen; this, however, is not the case with synthetic coumarin and coumarin derivatives.