Believed to be native to East Africa, tamarind grows extensively throughout India, South-east Asia and the West Indies. Tamarind trees are semi-evergreen tropical trees that can reach up to 80 ft tall.
The tamarind fruit grows in dark brown fruit pods and is produced in many different forms - compressed, dried, pulverised into a concentrate or paste - all popular depending on their culinary uses.
It has an uniquely tangy yet fruity flavour that is a refreshing addition to curries, sauces, chutneys, marinades and drinks. It is a good store cupboard ingredient to have to hand, particularly if you're a fan of cooking Asian dishes. The paste can last up to 3 months if stored properly in the fridge or dried tamarind will last a lot longer. It is also used in many Mexican dishes and is the key ingredient in the classic Worchestshire sauce.
(MyGoodFoodWorld)
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