Forktionary

Tamarind Pod

Tamarindus indica Fruit

Tamarind Pod Fruit

At a Glance

  • Category Fruit

The Forktionary Angle

"Unlocking the ancient tang for modern palates."

Definition

The fruit pod of the tamarind tree, known for its sweet and sour pulp used in cuisines worldwide, particularly Asian and Latin American.

Global Culinary Use Integral to Asian, Latin American & Caribbean cuisines.
Shelf Life (Pulp) Up to 1 year refrigerated.
Vitamin C Content Good source of immune-boosting Vitamin C.

Flavor Profile

The primary flavor notes for Tamarind Pod are:

Sweet Sour Fruity Tangy

Chef’s Secret

Toast whole tamarind pods lightly before extracting pulp to deepen its smoky, complex notes, especially for curries.

Best Substitutes

Tamarind Paste

with rehydration
Ratio 1:1

Lime Juice + Brown Sugar

for tang/sweet balance
Ratio 1:1

Buying Guide

Look for pods that are firm and intact, or pre-packaged seedless pulp. Avoid sticky or moldy pods.

Culinary Pairings

Shrimp Pork Chicken Coconut Milk Chili Fish Sauce Palm Sugar

Recipes Using Tamarind Pod

Agua De Tamarindo image 105
Low Protein Healthy North American Mexican

Agua De Tamarindo

Escape to the tropics with this authentic Agua de Tamarindo recipe! Adapted from Rick Bayless's "Authentic Mexican," this vibrant drink highlights the sweet and tangy flavor of tamarind pods. Popular throughout Mexico, the Caribbean, and Africa, this refreshing beverage is perfect for a hot day. Learn how to easily extract the tamarind pulp and create a perfectly balanced, subtly sweet and tart drink. This simple recipe is ready in under 10 minutes, plus steeping time.

See Complete Recipe