Tonka bean facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tonka bean
Tonka Beans
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Fabaceae
Genus:	Dipteryx
Species:	D. odorata
Binomial name
Dipteryx odorata (Aubl.) Willd.
Synonyms
Coumarouna odorata Aubl. Coumarouna tetraphylla (Benth.) Aubl. Dipteryx tetraphylla Benth.

The tonka bean is the seed of Dipteryx odorata, a species of flowering tree in the pea family Fabaceae. They are black and wrinkled and have a smooth brown center.

Uses

Tonka Beans had been used as a vanilla substitute, as a perfume, and in tobacco before being banned in some countries. They are used in some French cuisine (particularly, in desserts and stews) and in perfumes. Today, main producers of the seeds are Venezuela and Nigeria.

The beans were also spelled as "Tonquin" and "Tonkin", although it has no link with Tonkin, now part of Vietnam.

Images for kids

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  The smooth brown inside of the tonka bean

See also

In Spanish: Dipteryx odorata para niños