Tonka beans (Select extract)

Tonka bean extract, extracted from the seeds of the Dipteryx odorata tree, is a popular ingredient in perfumery because of its rich, warm and slightly sweet aroma.

Some common applications:

1. Base note: Tonka bean is often used as a base note in perfumes, providing long-lasting warmth and depth.
2. Gourmand Fragrances : Its sweet and nutty scent makes it a favorite in gourmand perfumes, where it pairs well with notes such as vanilla, caramel and chocolate.
3. Oriental and Spicy Compositions : In oriental perfumes, tonka bean adds a deep, balsamic warmth that combines well with spices, resins and woods.
4. Balancing Agent : It can balance floral and fruity notes, adding warmth and depth to lighter, more delicate fragrances.
5. Masculine Scents : The woody and spicy undertones make it a valuable component in many masculine fragrances.

Fragrance profile of tonka bean select extraction

• Top notes
  • Fresh and slightly spicy, with a hint of cinnamon and clove character.
  • Less heavy than the absolute, making the first impression more airy and natural.
• Heart notes
  • Coumarin dominates: a sweet, almondy scent reminiscent of vanilla and hay.
  • Creamy and warm, with a gentle tobacco nuance.
  • Subtle fruity accents (dried cherries, plums).
• Base notes
  • Deep, balsamic and slightly smoky.
  • A combination of vanilla-like sweetness and spicy warmth.
  • Very persistent and long lasting on the skin or scent strip

 

Select extraction vs supercritical CO₂ extraction

Core differences

Aspect	Subcritical/Select	Supercritical
Process Conditions	Lower pressure and temperature (under critical points of CO₂), acts more gently on the material	Higher pressure and temperature (above critical points), CO₂ behaves as both gas and liquid, extracts more aggressively
Selectivity & aroma retention	Retains more volatile, delicate flavors; fewer waxes and heavy components	Draws broader spectrum (waxes, resins, heavy molecules); may lose some volatile top notes
Consistency (viscosity).	Thinly liquid to slightly viscous, more oily; easier to dispense	Thicker, viscous to paste-like; may be semi-solid at 20 °C
Post-processing (post-processing).	Sometimes requires less filtration; often directly suitable for perfume applications	May require winterization/filtration to remove waxes; pre-diluting in ethanol or TEC helps dosing

What this means for tonka beans

Aspect	Subcritical	Supercritical
Aroma Profile	Softer, true to nature; better rendering of top and heart notes in addition to coumarin; less resinous	Intense, coumarin-rich, fuller and darker; more body and fixation, less airy facets
Use in formulation	Suitable for fine fragrance; clarity and dosage important; faster solubility in ethanol	Ideal for deep basenotes and fixation; dilute often beforehand and heat slightly (30-40 °C)
Visual/color characteristics	Dark amber, oily	Dark brown to reddish brown, viscous/sticky