The
flavour of the week comes from the "cumaru" or
"kumaru", species of tree that is native to northern South America and the Brazilian rainforest. Its
seeds are known as Tonka Beans.
Their appearance is black and wrinkled with a smooth brown interior. Their
fragrance and flavour is delicious; redolent of vanilla, cinnamon, cherries, and
cloves. Tonka Beans can be used in food, cocktails, perfumery, and to flavour
candies and chocolates. Tonka beans are most often grated to release their
aroma and flavour.
The Tonka seed contains the chemical coumarin, which
is responsible for its sweet aroma and flavour but also has been shown to
create liver toxicity in lab rats. The chemical occurs in small amounts in the
plant, however, and has not been shown to cause any damage in humans. Because
of these inconclusive studies the ingredient is banned in many countries,
including the USA. France however, is wild for the stuff, and uses it in
everything from desserts to cocktails to flavouring tobacco.
Tonka Beans also have enjoyed a long history as a
medicinal ingredient in the Amazon. They are purported to be effective in
treating cough, colds, asthma, snakebites, and have been used as an
antispasmodic. It is also purported to be an aphrodisiac. Kumaru trees can live to be over 1,000 years
old.
1 comment:
I find them just delicious and although grown here in Brazil, tonka is pretty hard to find in my area.
Post a Comment