Tamarind- A Fruit That Is Also a Legume
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What is Tamarind?
Tamarind is a fruit and a legume , it comes from a tree called “Tamarindus indica”. It is native to Africa but can also grow in tropical regions including Bangladesh and Pakistan. It’s pods look similar to edamame but with an orange color. Inside the pods are seeds that have pulp around them. This pulp has a sour taste at first until it thickens during ripening resulting in a sweet-sour taste.
Health benefits
Research shows that it has an antimicrobial effect against seven different microbes including Staphylococcus and E-coli. The antimicrobial effect comes from its Lupeol content.
Tamarind is high is phytochemicals and most of the essential amino acids that makes it nutritious and sustainable. It contains a good amount of magnesium,potassium,iron, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, and niacin.
Forms
Tamarind can be bought in the form of raw pods, a pressed block or as a concentrate.
How to eat tamarind
1) You can eat the fruit from the raw pods
2) You can use tamarind paste, made at home from the pods or purchased at the store
3) You can make chutney with tamarind
4) You can use it to add a sour note to savory dishes. For example, using it instead of lemons.
References:Bowden, J. (2017). 150 healthiest foods on earth: The surprising, unbiased truth about what you should eat and why. Place of publication not identified: Rockport.
Bowden, J. (2017). 150 healthiest foods on earth: The surprising, unbiased truth about what you should eat and why. Place of publication not identified: Rockport.
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May 29, 2023
2 Comments
I love Tamarind! I use it for salad dressing and recently learned that it's part of my favorite phat thai recipe.
that is awesome!! which phat thai recipe? 🙂