A fragrant organic compound found in tonka beans and various plants, used in perfumery and food flavoring.
From French 'coumarine', derived from the Tupi word 'cumaru' through 'cumar'. The chemical compound was discovered in cumaru resins and named after the plant source.
Vanilla extract and cumarin smell somewhat similar, which is why cumarin was used as a cheap vanilla substitute—but the FDA banned it in food in the US because high doses hurt the liver, a perfect example of how language connects to safety.
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