Tonka Bean
It is a tropical plant. It suits hot humid tropical lowland climates. It grows in tropical rainforest often along river banks. It needs a rainfall of 1500-1750 mm per year. It grows up to 350 m altitude. It does best in humus rich soils which are low in calcium.
Also known as:
Choiba, Cimaru, Coumarou, Cumaru, Dutch Tonka bean, Gaiac, Guayac, Karapa Bossi, Muirapaye, Pohon kumaru, Pohon polong tongka, Sarrapia, Tonquin bean
Synonyms
- Baryosma longa Gaertn.
- Coumarouna odorata Aublet
- Coumarouna tetraphylla (Benth.) Aublet
- Dipteryx tetraphylla Spruce ex Benth.
Edible Portion
- Seeds, Spice, Caution
Where does Tonka Bean grow?
Found in: Amazon, Asia, Bolivia, Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Fiji, French Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Honduras, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pacific, Panama, Peru, SE Asia, Seychelles, Singapore, South America, Suriname, Trinidad, Venezuela
Notes: It contains couarin.
Status: The main production is Venezuela, Brazil and Colombia.
Growing Tonka Bean
Cultivation: Plants are usually grown from seed. It can be grown from cuttings. Plants are spaced 3 m apart and thinned out later. Trees are topped when 2 m tall to encourage branching.
Edible Uses: It is used to flavour liqueurs. The beans are soaked for several days in rum or alcohol then dried and cured. The bean extract is used to flavour food. It is used in candy, baked goods, ice cream, cocoa and other foods. It is used as a vanilla substitute. Caution: The seeds probably contain coumarin which is toxic and cancer causing. The inner part of the pod pulp is edible.
Production: Flowering and fruiting start after 7-10 years. Good crops are only produced every 2-3 years. Plants are pollinated by insects. The yield of dried beans per tree is 1 kg per year, but yields of 25 kg are possible. Plants can probably live for 1,100 years.
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portion| Edible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
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