You’ll also notice a few brands labeling their tamarind a “Mexican sweet variety” or an “Asian sour variety”—there’s a simple explanation for this, and it refers to the stage at which the fruit was picked from the tree. The fruit gets sweeter and less sour as it ages on the tree.
What is the difference between sweet tamarind and sour tamarind?
Sour tamarind, or green, unripe tamarind, is the most tart and acidic. Ripe tamarind is brown, with a pleasantly strong sour taste. Sweet tamarind can be eaten straight from the pod. Source fresh pods at some major supermarkets, Asian and Indian grocers, and online.
Why is my tamarind sweet?
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.
Are there different types of tamarind?
There are two main types of tamarind: sour (the most common) and sweet (mostly comes from Thailand).
Which is better sweet or sour tamarind?
Sour tamarind is better used for tamarins paste or juice or concentrate, as it has the clearest flavor. What you do with the paste is up to you, as it’s good for sweet dishes, or savory dishes. What is this? The most common use for tamarind is for flavoring a dessert, such as ice cream or little pastries.
Is it good to eat sweet tamarind?
Tamarind is a rich source of magnesium. It also contains more calcium than many plant foods. The combination of these two minerals, plus weight-bearing exercise, could help prevent osteoporosis and bone fractures. The body requires vitamin D to use calcium.
Is Thai tamarind sweet or sour?
sour
Like many other fruits, tamarind is usually sweeter the more it has aged and ripened. Before ripening, it tends to have a more sour and tangy taste, similar to the tart citrus of a lime fruit but with the sweetness of a pineapple.
Is sweet tamarind high in sugar?
Meethi imli can be consumed raw and it is an ideal snack for weight watchers as it contains very little fat and no cholesterol. However, diabetics should exercise caution, as it is high in sugar at around 68.9 grams per cup.
What does tamarind do to the body?
This fruit may boost heart health in several ways. It contains polyphenols like flavonoids, some of which can help regulate cholesterol levels. One study in hamsters with high cholesterol found that tamarind fruit extract lowered total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and triglycerides ( 4 ).
What are the side effects of tamarind?
Tamarind might lower blood sugar levels. Taking tamarind along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
Which country produce sweet tamarind?
Guyana, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Cuba, St. Croix, Philippines and India are the major countries where manila tamarind or sweet tamarind is commonly grown.
Is tamarind good for kidneys?
The cleansing properties of tamarind help in detoxifyingthe kidney. The percentage of potassium contains in tamarind is goodenough to flush out the toxic elements that get deposited in the kidneys. Hence, to keep the kidneys in sound condition, one should have tamarind once a daily basis.
Is tamarind good for diabetes?
Tamarind is chock-full of fiber, vitamin C, iron, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium which prevents risks of blood sugar spikes. Tamarind has a low glycemic index score of 23 that makes it an excellent choice to be added over a diabetic diet.
Why is Thai tamarind sweet?
More About Tamarind Fruit
Tamarind snacks are normally sweet, because they are made of tamarind with added sugar or honey. Tamarind and sweet tamarind can be stored in the fridge for months. Tamarind is a natural laxative, like prunes.
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.
Is Tamarindo supposed to be sour?
The taste of the tamarind fruit ranges from sweet and tangy to a sour and tarty flavour. The wide range in taste is owed to how ripe the tamarind is. The more mature and ripe the fruit is, the sweeter. However, the less ripe the Tamarind fruit is, the sourer it tastes.
How do you know when tamarind is ripe?
When ripe, the shell outside gets dry, hard and easily cracks. You can see the reddish brown flesh inside. The dark brown seeds are shinny and hard on the outside. The fruit can be eaten ripe and unripe.
Will tamarind ripen off the tree?
Harvesting. Tamarind fruits either fall from the tree naturally, or are harvested when they’re ripe. Unripe fruits that fall from the tree aren’t collected immediately but are left on the ground until they’re ripe and ready for collection.
What do I do with tamarind pods?
Next time you have tamarind on hand try one of these: ① Mix into a barbecue sauce for a tangy chicken fingers dip. ② Make Bollywood Theater’s well-spiced okra sambar, which balances tamarind with serrano peppers, sambar masala and black mustard seeds. ③ Top Indian nachos with it in Babu Ji’s papadi chaat.
Does tamarind reduce belly fat?
Tamarind has a decent amount of fiber. It may help promote satiety and reduce food intake, which may trigger overall weight loss, including belly fat loss.
What is sweet tamarind used for?
From tangy soups to sweet chutneys to juices and carbonated drinks, tamarind is a versatile ingredient used to heighten flavor in both sweet and savory dishes. The fruit comes from the tamarind tree and is cocooned inside seed pods.