Freshness of Tonka Beans

[4mylgl6]

Hi everyone,

I've just received a packet of tonka beans, and being a tonka newbie I'm not sure if they're good. I'm told they're supposed to have a very strong aroma and flavor akin to vanilla. But they have a very weak smell that I would say is closer to peppermint, and it's just barely there. Does it sound like I got a bad batch? Or does the aroma only come through once they're grated?

 

Thanks!

[jimb0]

obviously we can't tell you how old your product is since we can't smell it, but whole spices are never as strongly smelling as when they're ground for a few reasons. grate one and smell it; i'm sure you'll experience a different odour. 

 

the smell and flavour of tonka is down to its high coumarin content. i wouldn't have personally said they smell like vanilla, but i guess i can see it. if you've ever smelled sweet woodruff, or sweetgrass, they're possessed of the same compound and scent / flavour. 

[Amymegan]

23 hours ago, jimb0 said:

obviously we can't tell you how old your product is since we can't smell it, but whole spices are never as strongly smelling as when they're ground for a few reasons. grate one and smell it; i'm sure you'll experience a different odour. 

 

the smell and flavour of tonka is down to its high coumarin content. i wouldn't have personally said they smell like vanilla, but i guess i can see it. if you've ever smelled sweet woodruff, or sweetgrass, they're possessed of the same compound and scent / flavour. 

 

On 1/15/2021 at 3:48 AM, 4mylgl6 said:

Hi everyone,

I've just received a packet of tonka beans, and being a tonka newbie I'm not sure if they're good. I'm told they're supposed to have a very strong aroma and flavor akin to vanilla. But they have a very weak smell that I would say is closer to peppermint, and it's just barely there. Does it sound like I got a bad batch? Or does the aroma only come through once they're grated?

 

Thanks!

I had a few tonka beans that I had to triple bag because the scent was so strong(for over a year!) that it would permeate anything nearby in the pantry. If you’ve smelled fresh pipe tobacco from a pouch, the aroma is similar and wonderful.

[Objective Foodie]

For us, the tonka bean have a aromas of vanilla, almonds (almost like marzipan), spices (cinnamon, clove). Peppermint sounds a bit unusual.

We think that the best way is to grate the beans on a microplane.