Every fragrance description contains a list of notes, meant to give you an idea of what a scent will smell like.
In this series, we’re breaking down specific notes to help you better understand what you’re smelling, all from behind a screen.
What Does Tonka Bean Smell Like?
Tonka Beans are the fragrant seeds of the Dipteryx odorata tree, native to South America.
Before they’re ever extracted for perfumery, the dried beans have an unexpectedly complex aroma. Warm and spicy with hints of Cinnamon, Clove and Tobacco, they’re balanced by subtle sweetness that hints at Vanilla and Toasted Almond.
Much of that familiar sweetness comes from Coumarin, a naturally occurring aroma molecule found within the bean. Coumarin is responsible for many of the vanilla-like, hay-like and almond facets people associate with Tonka Bean—but it’s only one part of the bean’s scent.
Tonka Bean in Perfumery
In modern perfumery, Tonka Bean appears in several different forms, each highlighting a different side of the ingredient.
Tonka Bean Absolute stays close to the character of the bean itself: warm, spicy, woody and slightly balsamic.
Coumarin isolates one of Tonka Bean's most recognizable aroma molecules, bringing forward its soft, hay-like sweetness.
A Tonka accord, on the other hand, is a perfumer's interpretation of the ingredient. Often built around Coumarin alongside other aromatic materials, it's crafted to emphasize Tonka Bean's creamier, sweeter and more powdery qualities.
Try Tonka Bean
While Tonka Bean plays a supporting role in our Milk and Ice(d) Scent Space trilogies, it takes center stage in our returning Tonka fragrance.
Rather than leaning into Tonka Bean’s darker, spicy character, Tonka highlights its softer side. Nutty, powdery Almond and sweet, vanilla-like Benzoin draw out the bean’s creamy, powdery facets, creating a gourmand that’s comforting, enveloping and indulgent.
Due to popular demand, Commodity’s Tonka fragrance returns with our Coleção de Editions on 24 August.