Herb & Spice Companion

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HERB & SPICE COMPANION

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TAMARIND

Tamarindus indica

Flavors: tart, acidic, fruity, sweet

Tamarind is a brown, sticky pulp found inside the seedpods of a large evergreen tree.

Also known as “date of India,” or tamr-

al-hindi in Arabic, it is native to eastern

Africa, grows wild in India, and is culti-

vated in tropical climates across the globe.

A common ingredient in Indian and

Southeast Asian cuisines, tamarind brings

acidity and sour flavor to the signature

spicy dishes of those regions. When

ripe, the pulp is removed from its brit-

tle pod and molded into blocks or slabs,

sometimes with its fibers and seeds still

included. It’s also sold as tamarind paste

and concentrate—a thick syrup without

the fibers and seeds—as well as dried

powder. Tamarind extract is a key ingre-

dient in Worcestershire sauce.

In the Garden

The tamarind tree thrives in tropical and subtropical climates. Grown from seed, a

tree can take 8 years to bear fruit, while a grafted tree will fruit in a fraction of that.

Size: 40 to 60 feet tall (rarely, up to 100 feet), 25 to 30 feet wide

Container: 1 to 2 feet in diameter and 20 inches deep, depending on tree size

Light: Full sun to filtered sun

Soil: Dry to moist, well drained; adaptable to various well-draining soils

Plant: Seeds, cuttings, or grafted trees; grafted trees are quickest to fruit.

Water: Regularly and thoroughly after sowing and for the first few years, when the

soil feels dry 1 inch deep; decrease during seedling stage, then water only occasion-

ally or not at all when mature; drought tolerant.

HEALTH BENEFITS

Tamarind may help boost the

digestive system and offer mild

laxative effects, thanks to its dietary

fiber content. This fiber is also

known to help lower blood sugar and

regulate appetite, making tamarind a

healthy substitute for refined sugar.

Believed to lower cholesterol levels

and improve liver function, tamarind

also contains vitamin C and beta-

carotene, two powerful antioxidants

that can help stave off signs of aging

and boost immunity.

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