At last I have a couple of tonka beans. I’ve snapped up a hint from Xander and removed the skin, after soaking for a few hours. I must say that one bean has a remarkable effect on about 50 grams of rather plain snuff. It’s effect in a small box is very noticable, though I am not sure I like it at these ‘vanilla-like’ levels.
All in all, an excellent enhancer of snuff, particularly, in my view , of the finer sort. As Snuffster has remarked G Smiths’ snuffs used at one time to ring some remakable changes on tonquin effects (when they were made by SG, some years ago, presumably).
As I read it tonquin has fallen into some disrepute as a result of the rather heavy use of coumarin, which it contains, in cigarettes (obtained usually from other plant sources for this purpose). I think it has been suggested that coumarin makes the tobacco more addictive, or at least habit forming. I believe it has also been considered carcinogenic in the lungs in this form, though I have not read the case for this. It has another property: thinning the blood. Though from what I have read one would have to injest quite large quantities daily to produce this effect.
Used sparingly (though others might prefer its stronger flavour), it’s a wonderful adulterant, and has a long history in the snuff box. Any tips, or takes, or anecdotes about tonka/tonquin would be welcomed.
Ask someone in the UK where a food or herb comes from, and you’ll be directed to an aisle number at the local supermarket. On the continent, however, many people have a less parochial attitude to nature’s larder. In Germany, for instance, I learned much about edible fungi and wild herbs and still make forays into the wild. One popular item all over Germany, used to flavour a great many things and drunk as tea is woodruff (Asperula odorata). It’s classed as odorata for a reason. This is a perfectly adequate for tonquin and is found growing wild in the month of May. Coumarin is found in both tonquin and woodruff. Try it, using the dried leaves, and you‘ll understand why this was used in German snuff. One could buy the beans from Smiths and Fribourg & Treyer. Wix in Piccadilly also sold them. Until fairly recently Wilson’s of Sharrow made the popular S.T (Sharrow Tonquin) although its demise suggests that the popularity was by no means universal. Woodruff, meanwhile, is easily obtained and is free.
Hie the merry merry month. Beware, the peacefully growing woodruff. I look forward to collecting some of this.
I am using a single bean on top of 50 grams. Somehow its effect on snuff, at low levels is excellent. Quite different to the effect when it is stronger and easily identifiable. A bean in a box is too much of a good thing for my taste. McGhahey, tobacconist was able to supply me with two of the four beans I requested. They are available from herb stores, now, and from people who think they are useful for making magic!
man the problem with the beans in America is literaly the number of people on heart medicines. Since too much of them can be bad. If you’re not on heart medicine don’t worry about the bean. Even if it’s that risky with people on meds is well questionable at best.
The release of humidity and thus the absorption of it is much slower when the skins are left intact. I use this method exclusively to rehydrate snuff and most pipe tobacco.
I read a site by someone from the Southern States of the USA. The thesis was that, in revenge for having lost the civil war, the South were producing large quantities of tobacco, to poison everyone in the North, especially with the help of the deadly coumarin. Far be it from me to comment on the politics of this (it wouldn’t be right on this easy going site) except to say that you certainly have your fair share of f@@//"!! loons over there! (We have a good many here too, in the ‘UK’).
Back to the magical bean. I would eulogise it better if I had the art. It appears to effect a subtle improvement on a plain snuff long before its scent becomes sensible. It’s this ‘occult’ effect which is its virtue, imho. As for the scent - not bad if you like vanilla etc.
Talljim, I got mine from McGahey. I asked for four, he sent me two- owing two more. I told him not to bother, two are plenty. Otherwise it is available online, though a jar and postage are a bit steep when all you want is a couple. It’s also available from shops catering for what I am tempted to call the ‘lunatic fringe’ who believe in sacrificing virgins, as far as I know, or is that goats perhaps,to some sort of spiritual being, who relishes this as a kind of treat apparently.
I’m sure a mentalist shop will have it in spades. Only you will know its true virtue and magic though. Put it in a box for the full flavour, but much better try it to gently revitalise some dead dust. Snuff’s true and virtuous condiment…
It’s tonquin that’s in 1792, right lads? If I am correct then it makes for a very fine and unique whiff— I have yet to try any snuff with the bean but I can speak highly of its properties in smoke.