Tamarind paste is from the fruit—or pods—of the tamarind tree, specifically the pulp that surrounds the seeds within the pod. The tamarind tree is a common hardwood fruit tree that is native to Africa but now grows all over Asia and Mexico. It bears large brown pods that contain the tamarind fruit.
Where is tamarind paste in the grocery store?
Usually, tamarind paste is in the international aisles of major grocery stores. It might be placed on the shelves with Latin, Thai, or Indian food products. What is this? It’s worth checking the produce area for tamarind pods, too.
Where does tamarind paste come from?
tamarind tree
The fruit comes from the tamarind tree and is cocooned inside seed pods. It has a date-like texture and is crushed to make tamarind paste or a less-diluted tamarind concentrate. The fruit can also be extracted from fresh pods or purchased in chunks. It is a culinary staple in the Caribbean, India, Thailand, and Mexico.
Is tamarind paste easy to find?
To be fair, tamarind paste is not always easy to find.
Is tamarind from Thailand?
Sour tamarinds grow all around Thailand while sweet ones are much harder to find. They are harvested in only a few Thai provinces with the most popular being Phetchabun and Loei. The tamarind harvest season lasts from November until February.
What is a substitute for tamarind paste?
If your recipe calls for 1 tablespoon tamarind paste, substitute with 1 tablespoon vinegar mixed with 1 tablespoon brown sugar. If using fresh lime juice, substitute 2 tablespoons lime juice for every 1 tablespoon tamarind paste. Both substitutes work best when the amount of tamarind paste is 2 tablespoons or less.
What can I use instead of tamarind?
A popular alternative is to use lime juice (or sometimes white wine or rice vinegar) mixed with an equal quantity of light brown sugar as a substitute for tamarind.
Does tamarind contain MSG?
3. It’s better for you. Most organic tamari brands do not contain preservatives or MSG, making it an additive-free condiment. 4.
What do you use tamarind paste for?
20 Best Ways to Use Tamarind
- Pad Thai.
- Tamarind Coconut Milk Fish Curry.
- Cilantro Coconut Chutney Recipe.
- Tom Yum Goong Soup.
- Thai Prawn Salad with Chilli Tamarind Dressing.
- Tamarind Drink.
- Vietnamese Sour Soup (Canh Chua)
- Apple Tamarind Chutney.
Is tamarind a laxative?
Tamarind is considered good for constipation due to its laxative property. It helps to boost immunity as it is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, making it useful in managing common cold.
Can you use ketchup instead of tamarind paste?
Ketchup is a common replacement for tamarind paste. Still, you’ll need to add fish sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, dark soy sauce, and rice vinegar to make it taste similar to tamarind paste.
Is tamarind a spice or herb?
Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) is a leguminous tree bearing edible fruit that is probably indigenous to tropical Africa. The genus Tamarindus is monotypic, meaning that it contains only this species. It belongs to the family Fabaceae.
Is tamarind a spice?
Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) is the only important spice of African origin. Today, it is a much-valued food ingredient in many Asian or Latin American recipes.
Is Indian tamarind the same as Thai?
Sour tamarind is more commonly produced across the world and in India, while sweet tamarind primarily originates from Thailand. Despite this, both Thai and Indian cuisine typically use the sweet variety of tamarind in their respective recipes.
What is tamarind in Thai?
Tamarind, known in Thai as “makaam“, is one of the most important ingredients in Thai cuisine. It is a staple in every Thai kitchen, and it plays a key role in popular dishes such as pad thai and papaya salad.
What does tamarind smell like?
Even though it’s sour, tamarind doesn’t have any hint of citrus whatsoever. Instead, it smells like sweet fruit, but its sweetness is very subtle.
What flavor is tamarind?
The flavor of the tamarind fruit ranges from sweet and sour to tangy and tart. The flavor depends on how ripe the fruit is. The more it ripens, the sweeter it gets. Similar to tart citrus fruit, the flavor will also depend on what the fruit is mixed with.
What flavor is similar to tamarind?
Mango Chutney
Mangos have similar flavor notes that resemble tamarind. Therefore, even though they are on the sweeter side, when combined with other flavors they create a nice alternative to tamarind paste.
Is turmeric and tamarind the same?
Turmeric is a flowering plant from the ginger family that contains a compound called curcumin. Research show it supports a healthy inflammation response2. Tamarind is a tropical tree that bears tart, seed-filled pods. Extracts from these seeds contain compounds called proanthocyanidins, which are antioxidants.
Is tamarind paste and sauce the same?
It’s easy to confuse tamarind sauce with tamarind paste, but the two are not the same. The paste is often the ingredient in tamarind sauce that gives it its tang. Tamarind paste is the mashed pulp of the tamarind tree’s fruit. You can buy it jarred and add it to dipping sauces, marinades and meals like vegan pad Thai.
Can I use lemon instead of tamarind?
Can I use lemon instead of tamarind? Yes, you can use lemon juice in place of tamarind, but to add the sweetness, you may want to also use some sugar. Mix lemon or lime juice with a bit of brown sugar to get a closer taste to tamarind.