Tamarind

Also known asImli · Asam Jawa · Tamarindus indica · 罗望子 · 酸角

Name: Tamarind (Tamarindus indica), the pod-like fruit of the tamarind tree. The name comes from the Arabic tamr hindi, meaning “date of India.” Sweet types, such as Thai sweet tamarind (makham waan), and sour types are both grown. The dried and pulped forms have their own page under Dried Fruits.

Description

Tamarind is native to tropical Africa, particularly the Sudan region, and was introduced to India in ancient times, where it became a central ingredient in cooking and spread across Asia. It was carried to Latin America and the Caribbean by Spanish and Portuguese traders, and is now grown throughout the tropics.

The long, brown, curved pod has a brittle shell and, inside, a sticky, brown, fibrous pulp surrounding hard, shiny seeds. The pulp is tart, sweet and tangy, and is one of the world's most widely used souring ingredients. It is used in curries, chutneys and sauces such as Worcestershire sauce, in Thai pad thai, in Mexican agua de tamarindo and in candies.

Main nutrition value

Tamarind pulp is high in natural sugars and acids, and provides potassium, magnesium, iron and fibre, as well as B vitamins.

How best to be consumed

Tamarind is used both fresh as a sweet-sour snack and as a souring paste in cooking.

1. Crack the pod, peel away the fibres and eat the sweet pulp fresh, discarding the seeds.
2. Soak pulp in hot water, strain, and use the liquid in curries, soups and sauces.
3. Make tamarind drinks, such as agua de tamarindo, with water and sugar.
4. Use sweet tamarind as a snack, and sour tamarind for cooking.
5. Store pods or pulp in a cool, dry place or the fridge.

Overconsumption could cause…

Tamarind is safe in food-sized amounts, and its main effects are as a natural laxative and acid.

1. Loose stools or a laxative effect from eating a lot of the pulp or its sweets.
2. Stomach upset or heartburn from the strong acidity.
3. Tooth enamel wear from frequent exposure to acid and sugar, especially in tamarind candies.
4. Possible lead contamination in some imported tamarind candies, so buy from reputable sources, and interactions with some medicines in large amounts.

GroupsTropical FruitsLegume familyLow fatLow sodiumRich in potassiumFresh

Made intoDried Tamarind

Related foodsAvocadoDurianPlantainCoconutMamey SapoteBreadfruit

Wikipedia — Tamarind, used for origin, naming and history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamarind