Tonka Beans

Tonka beans are also an important ingredient in various Western magical traditions, explicitly used for spells, charms and philtres to attract love, money and prosperity. I figure anything that you sniff and smells so good you must go back for a deeper inhalation, is a perfect symbolic attractant. And you will indeed return to inhale Tonka's heavenly aroma. Over and over. Again.

The fragrance of Tonka beans is of Vanilla, New Mown Hay, marzipan, (Bitter Almond) and caramel. The aroma is persistent, and stored correctly, the beans will keep their lovely fragrance for many years.

Though they have been banned as a food additive in the USA for decades due to their Coumarin content, internationally, it is accepted that unless consumed in great quantities, there is a negligible risk of adverse effects from this anticoagulant compound (Coumarin is the base material from which the blood thinner Coumadin was originally synthesised).

Tonka bean and its extracts find extensive international use in gourmand food preparation, as flavouring agents in tobacco products and are popular ingredients in both mainstream and artisan perfumery. Tonka has also found a relatively modern use as an incense ingredient.

You can make your own Tonka Bean extract easily by following these simple instructions.

1-To a mason jar of sufficient size add 10 grams Tonka beans ground in a coffee grinder. (Leave at least 1/3 of the jar empty for circulation of vapors).

2-Cover with 30 grams of 94% to 96% ethanol.

3-Seal the mason jar with a lid and let stand in a warmish place for 6 to 8 weeks, shaking periodically.

4-Pour your maceration through a paper coffee filter into a clean jar.

5-Cover tightly and set in a coolish darkish place till needed. I.e., not in direct sunlight or a place that would make you sweat.

The ratio of Tonka beans to alcohol in the above formula is 1:3. This means you can use 10 grams of beans and 30 grams of alcohol, or you could use 30 grams Beans and 90 grams alcohol or if you have 1423.15 grams of beans, you would add 4269.45 grams of alcohol.... If you are used to Imperial Measurements, you can use ounces to measure the weight of each ingredient.

1 Ounce equals approximately 6 Tonka Beans.

Dan

Materials: Fresh Tonka Beans.