Tonka beans, organic, 20g - Mill & Mortar

The tonka bean is somewhat reminiscent of vanilla, but has a richer and stronger character with hints of forest and bitter almond. Some claim the scent has hints of sandalwood, magnolia, clove and even pear. It's a bit like vanilla's introverted cousin a few years older who read Nietzsche and doesn't own a TV but at the same time smells very, very good which creates some kind of deep fascination and attraction that also feels forbidden even though (in the case of tonka bean) it is not. Either way, its complex flavour properties have made it a popular ingredient in sweet dishes, including ice cream and pastries. The beans are grated and mixed into dry ingredients or stirred into cream, ice cream or alcohol. The tonka bean also goes well with chocolate and fruits such as strawberries and apricots. Last but not least, it is the invaluable icing on the cake.

The tonka bean looks a bit like a large raisin and is finely grated before use in the same way as nutmeg on a zester. It can also be mixed or mortared. Mill & Mortar's tonka beans are organically grown.

Tonka beans provide a more subtle and complex flavour than vanilla, and their essential oils have been used in perfumes for centuries. Tonka beans are particularly popular in French desserts and often appear in the creations of exclusive Parisian bakeries. When it comes to cocktails, tonka is a great addition to rum-based drinks. It is also versatile enough to be used in savoury dishes, where its complex flavour helps to enhance the taste of scallops, mayonnaise, pumpkin soup or even mashed potatoes.

Tonka beans are the seeds of the flowering Cumaru tree, which can grow up to 25-30 metres high. The Cumaru tree is native to Central and South America.

USE TONKA BEANS WITH CAUTION

As with vanilla beans, tonka beans should not be consumed as they are, but rather as an aromatic ingredient in other dishes. Tonka beans contain a chemical called coumarin and at quite high levels. Depending on the geography and climate, they can contain between 1 and 3.5% coumarin. You should therefore avoid using more Tonka than indicated in the recipe.