Forget New Year’s resolutions; January’s the time to talk food trends. One that Vancouver diners can expect this year is the rise of the tonka bean.

The flat, dark-brown, wrinkly South American beans are spicy and fruity, containing a complex flavour redolent of vanilla, almonds, cloves, and cinnamon.

They’re actually illegal in the United States, but that doesn’t stop chefs there from using them. The beans can also be found on menus in some of the city’s hottest restaurants. Bauhaus and Wildebeest have incorporated tonka-bean ice cream on their dessert menus in the recent past.

Here are a few other places around town you can taste this delectable ingredient.

• L’Abbatoir  Start your night off at the Gastown hot spot with an Amaretto Sour Refashioned ($12), made with Sons of Vancouver No. 82 Amaretto, Martini bianco vermouth, lemon, egg white, and tonka bean.

• Mosquito The list of macarons on offer at this Champagne and dessert bar, also in Gastown, includes a Red Fruits and Tonka Bean version. (Price not listed.)

• Hawksworth Restaurant Love mescal? Order up an Ancient Ruin, a kickin’ cocktail made with serrano-infused los siete misterios espadin mezcal, crème de cacao, fresh lemon juice, agave syrup, and, of course, tonka beans ($14).