Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTaste and Texture of TamarindBenefits of Eating TamarindNutrition FactsIndustrial Uses of TamarindHow to Eat TamarindWhere Can You Find Quality Tamarind?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Taste and Texture of Tamarind
Benefits of Eating Tamarind
Nutrition Facts
Industrial Uses of Tamarind
How to Eat Tamarind
Where Can You Find Quality Tamarind?
Tamarind is an evergreen tree that grows primarily in Asia, Africa, and South America. A tamarind pod contains approximately 55% pulp, 34% seed, and 11% shell and fiber. In addition to being used in cooking, various parts of the plant, including the leaves, pulp, fiber, shell, and seeds, are used in industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, biofuels, water, textiles, electrochemical, and composite industries.
Tamarind may offer some health benefits, including antioxidant and blood glucose lowering effects. Researchers are exploring how tamarind might help protect against health conditions such as diabetes,nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, cardiovascular diseases, and more.
This article will discuss the taste and texture of tamarind, the benefits of eating it, its nutrition information, how it is used industrially, how to eat it, and where to find it.
Anucha Muphasa / 500px / Getty Images
Tamarind pulp is brown and sticky and has a sweet and sour taste.
The pulp may be added to foods and drinks to give them a tart or tangy flavor.
Tamarind fruit becomes sweeter as it matures and ripens. The less ripe the fruit is, the more sour it tastes.
Tamarind Use Across CulturesTamarind is used in many areas and is a common cuisine ingredient in Central America, Mexico, and the Indian subcontinent.In countries such as India, Nigeria, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sudan, the leaves and flower of tamarind may be eaten raw or cooked in a number of foods, including soups, stews, curries, and salad dressings.Tamarind is used medicinally in countries like Bangladesh, India, Sudan, and Nigeria.Tamarind can be made into a beverage that is popular in most African countries.In Eastern Uganda, tamarind fruit is often eaten as a snack. It may also be made into a concentrate for flavoring porridge, millet bread, andpotatoes. Schoolchildren sometimes put the fruit in bottles, add water, and shake it to make a beverage. Tamarind beverages were traditionally recommended for those who were recovering from illness or who were pregnant. They were also commonly given to those returning from war.In Mexico, tamarind is used to make a sweet and spicy candy.In India, tamarind is used in curries and spicy dishes, often mixed with spices such as ginger, coriander,turmeric, or garam masala and paired with coconut milk.In some Caribbean countries, tamarind seeds are roasted and eaten, or ground up and used in Indian cakes. Tamarind balls are a popular dessert in the Caribbean Islands.Tamarind whisked with fish sauce, vinegar, and sugar can be used in a base sauce to make pad thai.
Tamarind Use Across Cultures
Tamarind is used in many areas and is a common cuisine ingredient in Central America, Mexico, and the Indian subcontinent.In countries such as India, Nigeria, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sudan, the leaves and flower of tamarind may be eaten raw or cooked in a number of foods, including soups, stews, curries, and salad dressings.Tamarind is used medicinally in countries like Bangladesh, India, Sudan, and Nigeria.Tamarind can be made into a beverage that is popular in most African countries.In Eastern Uganda, tamarind fruit is often eaten as a snack. It may also be made into a concentrate for flavoring porridge, millet bread, andpotatoes. Schoolchildren sometimes put the fruit in bottles, add water, and shake it to make a beverage. Tamarind beverages were traditionally recommended for those who were recovering from illness or who were pregnant. They were also commonly given to those returning from war.In Mexico, tamarind is used to make a sweet and spicy candy.In India, tamarind is used in curries and spicy dishes, often mixed with spices such as ginger, coriander,turmeric, or garam masala and paired with coconut milk.In some Caribbean countries, tamarind seeds are roasted and eaten, or ground up and used in Indian cakes. Tamarind balls are a popular dessert in the Caribbean Islands.Tamarind whisked with fish sauce, vinegar, and sugar can be used in a base sauce to make pad thai.
Tamarind is used in many areas and is a common cuisine ingredient in Central America, Mexico, and the Indian subcontinent.
In countries such as India, Nigeria, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sudan, the leaves and flower of tamarind may be eaten raw or cooked in a number of foods, including soups, stews, curries, and salad dressings.
Tamarind is used medicinally in countries like Bangladesh, India, Sudan, and Nigeria.
Tamarind can be made into a beverage that is popular in most African countries.
In Eastern Uganda, tamarind fruit is often eaten as a snack. It may also be made into a concentrate for flavoring porridge, millet bread, andpotatoes. Schoolchildren sometimes put the fruit in bottles, add water, and shake it to make a beverage. Tamarind beverages were traditionally recommended for those who were recovering from illness or who were pregnant. They were also commonly given to those returning from war.
In Mexico, tamarind is used to make a sweet and spicy candy.
In India, tamarind is used in curries and spicy dishes, often mixed with spices such as ginger, coriander,turmeric, or garam masala and paired with coconut milk.
In some Caribbean countries, tamarind seeds are roasted and eaten, or ground up and used in Indian cakes. Tamarind balls are a popular dessert in the Caribbean Islands.
Tamarind whisked with fish sauce, vinegar, and sugar can be used in a base sauce to make pad thai.
Tamarind is nutritious. The pulp containsvitamin C. Its leaves are a source of lipids, fatty acids, vitamins andflavonoids.
Protein and amino acids contribute to building strong muscles.
Tamarind contains containsphenoliccompounds (which may have antioxidant effects), such as:
Tamarind is also rich in carbohydrates and contains minerals such as:
Tamarind Is Not Medical CareEating tamarind is not a substitute for medical care. Always talk to your healthcare provider about your symptoms or concerns.
Tamarind Is Not Medical Care
Eating tamarind is not a substitute for medical care. Always talk to your healthcare provider about your symptoms or concerns.
100 grams of raw tamarind contains:
Various parts of the tamarind plant are of interest to several industries for their potential in creating products that are:
Pharmaceutical Industry
Tamarind is used in pharmaceuticals in areas such as:
Food Industry
Uses in the food industry include:
Tamarind may also be useful in areas such as:
The pulp from tamarind can be consumed fresh or made intojuiceor brine. It is often added to foods such as curries and sauces or made into jams and sweets.
Before being added to recipes, tamarind is usually softened into a paste. One preparation method involves:
Tamarind paste can be bought in grocery stores, particularly specialty Latin, Indian, or Asian grocery stores.
Keeping tamarind paste in the fridge will extend its shelf life, but it can be kept out of the fridge in a cool, dry place like a cupboard.
Lead Concerns With TamarindCandy made with tamarind is a popular treat in Mexico.Some candy imported from Mexico into the United States was found tocontain lead, in some cases up to 29 times higher than the allowed limit for lead levels in food.There is no safe level of lead, and children are especially vulnerable to its harmful effects because they can absorb 50–100% of ingested lead. Lead affects nearly every organ in the body, and even at low levels, it can impact children’s neurodevelopment. It can also be particularly harmful to those who are pregnant.Further studies have found varying levels of lead in different brands of candy.To avoid potential exposure to lead, consider making your own Mexican tamarind candy at home, such as withthis recipefrom Allrecipes.
Lead Concerns With Tamarind
Candy made with tamarind is a popular treat in Mexico.Some candy imported from Mexico into the United States was found tocontain lead, in some cases up to 29 times higher than the allowed limit for lead levels in food.There is no safe level of lead, and children are especially vulnerable to its harmful effects because they can absorb 50–100% of ingested lead. Lead affects nearly every organ in the body, and even at low levels, it can impact children’s neurodevelopment. It can also be particularly harmful to those who are pregnant.Further studies have found varying levels of lead in different brands of candy.To avoid potential exposure to lead, consider making your own Mexican tamarind candy at home, such as withthis recipefrom Allrecipes.
Candy made with tamarind is a popular treat in Mexico.
Some candy imported from Mexico into the United States was found tocontain lead, in some cases up to 29 times higher than the allowed limit for lead levels in food.
There is no safe level of lead, and children are especially vulnerable to its harmful effects because they can absorb 50–100% of ingested lead. Lead affects nearly every organ in the body, and even at low levels, it can impact children’s neurodevelopment. It can also be particularly harmful to those who are pregnant.
Further studies have found varying levels of lead in different brands of candy.
To avoid potential exposure to lead, consider making your own Mexican tamarind candy at home, such as withthis recipefrom Allrecipes.
Summary
Tamarind is a plant used in cooking recipes and beverages, particularly in Asia, Africa, and South America. Its pulp has a sweet and sour taste. It is a good source ofamino acidsand contains phenolic compounds. It is a source of vitamin C, protein, and several minerals. It is believed to have health benefits, particularly through itsantioxidantpotential.
Various parts of the Tamarind plant are used industrially, including in the food, pharmaceutical, construction, textile, biofuel, and paper industries.
Tamarind is often made into a paste before it is added to recipes. Tamarind paste can be found in specialty Latin, Indian, or Asian grocery stores.
11 Sources
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