Tamarinds are a type of tropical fruit that are produced by the tamarind tree, which is native to Africa but also thrives in other tropical regions like India. The tamarind tree produces pods with seeds and fibrous pulp inside that resemble beans. These pods’ pulp matures into a paste-like texture and takes on a sweet-sour flavor.

Ways to Use Tamarind in Cooking

1.A few teaspoons of tamarind add a sour flavor to a sweet side dish like chutney.

2.The acidity of the tamarind does wonders to tenderize meat. Also it is widely used in marinades to prepare thick portions of beef for cooking by softening them. It’s also the reason tamarind is one of the major ingredients in Worcestershire sauce.

3.In Indian curries and other hot dishes, tamarind is sometimes used with coconut milk to decrease its sour flavor. However other spices that are typically included in tamarind curries include ginger, turmeric, coriander, and garam masala.

4.The tamarind seed is edible even though it isn’t a common part of the tamarind fruit. While pulverized seeds are a component of Indian sweets, the seeds are roasted in the Caribbean as a snack.

5.Fish sauce, sugar, vinegar, and tamarind are the main components of the base sauce for pad thai.

6.Despite its strong flavor, tamarind can be the major component in a cuisine. In the Caribbean Islands, where tamarind trees have thrived since the fifteenth century, tamarind balls are a popular treat when paired with sugar, which can diminish the acidic flavor.

Read more: 6 Easy Tamarind recipes you can try