Tonquin Bean

[morlader]

I was thinking of ordering som of Sam Gawith's Westmoreland Mixture.Looks to be a nice Latakia blend but I am curious,it seems to be flavoured with Tonquin Beans, I have never heard of them.Can anyone enlighten as to what they are and what the flavour is. Tom

 

[lordnoble]

My understanding is that they give a vanilla flavor, although I don't remember a vanilla flavor the one time I smoked SG's 1792 Flake. Then again, that blend rocked me so hard, I don't remember much of that smoke... :lol:
-Jason

 

[papipeguy]

Tonquin bean smells similar to coumarin. It has a lot of applications in addition to scenting tobacco; heart medicine is one. So, Jason, that could be why you felt rocked by 1792. I happen to really like that blend but tonquin is usually a love it or hate it kind of affair.

 

[morlader]

Thanks for the replies guys.I had a thought and looked it up on Wikipedia and as you say it is similar to vanilla and coumarin.Wikipedie also says it is banned in the USA for inclusion in foodstuffs so I will smoke it but not eat it lol ::

 

[papipeguy]

Just make sure you're sitting down.It packs a wallop.