Gourmand

Tonka Bean

Note Profile

Natural 1206 perfumes

Also Known As

Brazilian Tonka Bean Absolute, Roasted Tonka, Roasted Tonka Bean, Tonka Bean Absolute, Tonkabean

About

Sweet, almond-like

Scent Profile

Tonka bean has a sweet, warm scent with pronounced notes of vanilla, almond, and subtle hints of cinnamon and clove. Its aroma is creamy and slightly powdery, often developing a rich, balsamic depth as it dries down. The scent evolves to reveal soft, coumarin-driven nuances that linger in the base.

Citrus 0%

Floral 5%

Fruity 0%

Green 0%

Sweet 75%

Warm 20%

Woody 5%

Earthy 10%

Animalic 0%

Fresh 0%

Origin

Tonka beans are seeds from the Dipteryx odorata tree, native to Central and South America. The beans are harvested, dried, and then cured to crystallize coumarin, the primary aromatic compound, before being extracted for perfumery.

Usage in Perfumery

Perfumers use tonka bean primarily as a base note to impart warmth and sweetness, often in gourmand, oriental, and fougère compositions. It blends well with vanilla, tobacco, amber, woods, and spices, providing a softening and rounding effect to the fragrance structure.