Francesca's Spices - Tonka beans, whole, 15g

Tonka beans are the seeds of the fruit of a tree native to Central America called cumaru (Brazilian teak or chestnut). They have a very particular aroma with strong hints of sweet and bitter almonds, with additional notes of vanilla and cinnamon. The aroma extracted from tonka beans is frequently used in the perfume industry, as beer-flavouring and sometimes it is added to pipe tobacco.

It is used grated, mainly for making desserts, because it pairs well with vanilla, cocoa and coconut, though it has to be used sparingly, as its flavour is quite strong. Bartenders also use it to flavour cocktails, they usually chop it and leave it to infuse beforehand.

Botanical name: dipteryx odorata