Tamarind
Tamarind is a popular ingredient in a range of dishes around the world. The pulp and seeds are used in cooking, baking, and candy-making. The sour taste adds flavor to many types of foods that you might not expect to go together. In Mexico and Southeast Asia, tamarind fruit pulp flavors are a popular drink. In Morocco, a paste of the pulp is served as a condiment with fish or meat dishes.
In India and Thailand, the tamarind fruit pulp is used in sweets – candies, jellies, and ice creams. In Indonesia and Malaysia, it is used as a souring ingredient for spicy meat and vegetable dishes. In the Philippines, a popular way to enjoy tamarind is to spread it on ripe mangoes or bananas or toast.
In Jamaica, a popular candy called tamarind balls is usually made with just four ingredients: sugar, water, pectin (for thickening), and tamarind fruit pulp. The candy is rolled into small balls and then coated with a mixture of sugar and cornstarch.
Tamarind pulp can also be used in drinks, such as the popular African drink made from fermented sourdough bread called dudu-oho. In Thailand, a cold soup flavored with tamarind is a great way to start a meal on a hot day. In the United States and Europe, tamarind pulp and puree are available in jars or cans at some supermarkets and specialty food shops.
Tamarind is a rich souring agent – it adds a tart flavor without adding sweetness – which makes it perfect for savory dishes. Tamarind also gives barbecue sauces, chutneys, and pickles a tangy flavor.
It is also used in many recipes for fish or meat dishes, as well as sauces. Tamarind can help reduce saltiness in food without losing the flavor of the other ingredients. Sometimes it is combined with ginger, garlic, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, ancho chiles, vinegar, or tomatoes.
Tamarind is used in many cooking styles throughout the world because it tastes delicious with a wide variety of foods and spices. Try adding tamarind to your own recipes for fish or meat dishes. It takes only minutes to prepare the pulp from the pods, so you can have this flavorful fruit ingredient anytime. Tamarind is a favorite flavoring ingredient in many parts of the world. Try it as a delicious addition to your dishes!
Global tamarind production
Tamarind is a tropical fruit that is native to Africa. The tree produces a pod-like fruit that contains a sour pulp. The pulp is used in various cuisines as a seasoning or condiment. Tamarind is the national fruit of Bangladesh, and it plays an important role in the country's cuisine. The tree is also cultivated in India, Pakistan, Vietnam, Thailand, and other countries in Southeast Asia. In addition to its culinary uses, tamarind is also used in traditional medicine. The fruit is believed to have medicinal properties that can treat various ailments.
Tamarind is a versatile fruit that can be used in sweet or savory dishes. It is commonly used in curries, chutneys, and sauces. The fruit can also be used to make drinks, such as tamarind juice or tamarind soda.
Tamarind global production has increased steadily in recent years, reaching a record high of 1.6 million metric tons in 2016. The majority of tamarind produced is used for culinary purposes, as the fruit is popular in many savory and sweet dishes. Tamarind is also used in traditional medicines, and its pulp and seeds are sometimes used as animal feed. The top five producers of tamarind in the world are India, Pakistan, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Together, these countries account for over 80% of global production. India is by far the largest producer of tamarind, with an estimated 1.2 million metric tons produced in 2016.