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Description

Tonka Bean Absolute (Dipteryx odorata (Aubl.) Willd.)

Produced through solvent extraction, this absolute reveals a soft, enveloping aroma of vanilla, almond, warm hay, and delicate tobacco — a note prized in fine perfumery for its ability to add depth, sweetness, and lasting warmth.

This is a pure, undiluted tonka absolute, selected for its smooth, refined profile and ease of use in blending.

Not sure why some Tonka Bean Absolutes are smooth and pourable while others are thicker? Read the Botanical Library guide to understand the different styles.

Read the Tonka Guide

Why you’ll love it:

  • Perfumery-grade quality — smooth, refined, and easy to work with
  • Warm gourmand depth with vanilla-like sweetness and almond warmth
  • Natural fixative that helps round compositions and enhance longevity
  • Soft, nostalgic aroma with a deeply comforting character
Aroma Profile
  • Vanilla-like: soft sweetness with a smooth, rounded warmth
  • Almond / Marzipan: creamy, nutty richness
  • Hay / Coumarin: sun-dried warmth with a nostalgic softness
  • Soft Tobacco: gentle depth and a refined, dusky finish
  • Caramel Warmth: smooth, gourmand comfort

Strength: Medium–strong · Perfume note: Heart / Base

A rich, enveloping aroma that feels warm, sweet, and quietly grounding.

How to Use
  • Perfumery: 0.2–4% of concentrate. Adds warmth, sweetness, and depth.
  • Aromatherapy: Dilute in a carrier oil for a comforting, grounding blend.
  • Home & body: Ideal for candles, body oils, and balms — use sparingly as it is powerful.

Blends beautifully with

Vanilla, benzoin, sandalwood, cedarwood, patchouli, lavender, orange, coffee, and tobacco.

Details
Botanical
Dipteryx odorata (Aubl.) Willd.
Plant part
Seeds (Tonka beans)
Extraction
Solvent extraction (absolute)
Origin
Pará & Maranhão, Brazil
Appearance
Light amber, naturally fluid
Purity
100% pure, undiluted — no added carriers or synthetics

Consistency & temperature behaviour

Tonka Bean Absolute can naturally vary in consistency depending on temperature and composition.

This batch is a smooth, pourable absolute at typical room temperature, selected for ease of use in perfumery.

When exposed to cooler conditions, it may thicken or become more viscous due to its natural coumarin content. This is a normal characteristic of genuine tonka absolute and does not indicate dilution.

Gentle warming will restore full fluidity if required.

Safety

For external use only. Always dilute before applying to skin. Avoid during pregnancy or with medical conditions unless advised by a professional. Keep away from children.

Culture

Tonka beans come from the seeds of the tropical tree Dipteryx odorata, which grows in the forests of northern South America. The dark, wrinkled beans are known for their rich aroma, often described as warm, sweet, and reminiscent of vanilla, almond, and caramel.

In parts of South America and the Caribbean, tonka beans have long been valued for their fragrance and were sometimes carried as small aromatic charms. Their sweet scent made them popular in traditional perfumed preparations and scented objects.

As global trade expanded during the nineteenth century, tonka beans became widely used in European perfumery. Their distinctive aroma helped shape many classic fragrance styles and remains an important ingredient in modern perfume blends.

Today, tonka bean continues to be appreciated for its warm, comforting scent and its long association with natural fragrance traditions.

Documents
Shipping

Free shipping to the United Kingdom, Guernsey, Isle of Man, and Jersey.

Dispatched from the UK by Royal Mail Tracked 24®.