Tamarind

About Indian spices

Tamarind

Indian Name: Imli, imlee, amyli (dried)
Scientific Name: Tamarindus indica syn T.officinalis
Fam Leguminosae

Other Names

Indian Date, Tamarindo
French: tamarin
German: Tamarine
Italian: tamarindo
Spanish: tamarindo
Indian: imli, imlee, amyli (dried)
Indonesian: asam
Lao: mal kham
Malay: asam
Sinhalese: syambala
Tamil: pulee, puli
Thai: makahm

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    Origin

    Believed to originate in East Africa, tamarind now grows extensively throughout the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and the West Indies. Tamarind means ‘date of India’ In Hindu mythology, it is associated with the wedding of the god Krishna which is celebrated by a feast in November.

    In Victorian times, the British in Goa kept a tamarind in one ear when venturing into the native quarter to keep themselves free from harassment because the locals believed the fresh pods were inhabited by malevolent demons. This earned the colonials the nickname ‘Lugimlee’ or ‘tamarind heads’, and it has stuck to this day. It is an excellent brass and copper polish. Take a slab of tamarind, sprinkle on some salt, wet it and rub it directly on the object to be polished.

    Description

    Tamarind is from a curved brown bean-pod from the tamarind tree. The pod contains a sticky pulp enclosing one to ten shiny black seeds. It is the pulp that is used as a flavouring for its sweet, sour, fruity aroma and taste. It is available as a pressed fibrous slab, or as a jamlike bottled concentrate, and some Indian shops carry the dried pods.
    Bouquet: a slightly fruity aroma.
    Flavour: a refreshing sour taste
    Hotness Scale: 1

    Health Benefits

    Its Antioxidants May Boost Heart Health

    It’s High in Beneficial Magnesium

    It May Have Anti-fungal, Antiviral and Antibacterial Effects

    Tamarind Candy May Have Unsafe Levels of Lead

    Taste and aroma

    Tamarind is considered a mild laxative and digestive. It is used to treat bronchial disorders and gargling with tamarind water is recommended for a sore throat. It is antiseptic, used in eye-baths and for the treatment of ulcers. Being highly acidic, it is a refrigerant (cooling in the heat) and febrifuge (for fighting fevers). The Ananga Ranga suggests consuming it for enhancing a woman’s sexual enjoyment.

    Tamarind paste tastes very sour, with a somewhat citrusy taste. It does have notes of smoke and caramel as well, making for a complex flavor profile. It is thick, sticky, and resembles molasses.

    Magnesium
    28%
    Potassium
    22%
    Iron
    19%
    Calcium
    9%
    Phosphorus
    14%
    Vitamin B1
    34%
    Vitamin B2
    11%
    Vitamin B3
    12%

    Usage

    Usually it is the juice or paste that is used as a souring agent, particularly in south Indian and Gujarati lentil dishes, curries and chutneys, where its flavour is more authentic than vinegar or lemon juice. It may be used to flavour pulse dishes, rice dishes, or as an ingredient in sauces and side dishes for pork, fowl and fish. Tamarind contains pectin which is used in the manufacturing process of commercially produced jams, so it is a natural ingredient in many jams, jellies, fruit drinks, and is vital to Worcestershire sauce. In India, the ground seed is used in cakes. A refreshing drink made from tamarind syrup and resembling lemonade is quite popular in the Middle East