What is Tamarind puree?
The Tamarind is the scientific name for a hardwood tree called Tamarindus indica. Tamarind puree is originally from Africa, but it’s also found in India, Pakistan, and other tropical countries. Bean-like pods with seeds are produced by the tree, which is surrounded by a fibrous pulp. The immature fruit’s pulp is green and sour. The delicious pulp turns paste-like and sweeter-sour as it ripens.
Where tamarind puree is found?
Tamarindus indica, a tropical African evergreen tea of the pea family (Fabaceae).
Nutritional information about tamarind puree:
- Magnesium: 28% of RDI
- Potassium: 22% of RDI
- Iron: 19% of RDI
- Calcium: 9% of RDI
- Phosphorus: 14% of RDI
- Vitamin B1 (thiamine): 34% of RDI
- And Vitamin B2 (riboflavin): 11% of RDI
- Vitamin B3 (niacin): 12% of RDI
What are its benefits?
- Its Antioxidants
- May boost heart health
- High in beneficial magnesium
- Anti-fungal, Antiviral and Anti-bacterial effects
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- Can protect against cancer, diabetes
- Help lower blood pressure
- Reverse fatty liver disease
- May lose body weight
How to grow tamarind puree ?
- To speed up germination, soak tamarind puree seeds in warm water overnight.
- In an excellent quality seed starting mix, sow seeds 1/2 inch deep.
- Within one or two weeks of seeding, the seeds germinate.
- Plants produced from seeds are not ready to harvest until 6–7 years after germination.
- If you want speedy results, grow tamarind from cuttings or buy a plant from a nursery.
How to include it in your diet?
- Add a sour flavour to savoury meals using this fruit.
- You can use the frozen, unsweetened pulp in this dish.
- Chutney
- Vegetable curry
- Perfect meat tenderizer
- This is a common ingredient in Indian curries and spicy foods.
