Tamarind Block Thai
Tamarindus indica
$7
Tamarind is the acidic, dark-brown to black pulp from the pods of an enormous tree that grows wild in East Africa and India.
Tamarind is possibly the most popular of the important souring agents in Indian and Asian cooking. It adds an appetizing tang and fruity background flavor to curries, sour soups and sauces.
To make Tamarind water from either Indian or Asian Tamarind Block, take a walnut-sized piece, soak it in 2 tablespoons of hot water for 10-15 minutes. Strain off the liquid, so as to leave behind any remaining seeds and pulp.
Herbie's Spices Tamarind Concentrate is convenient to use, as one merely needs to dissolve 1 teaspoon of Tamarind Concentrate in 2 tablespoons of warm water or add the concentrate direct to the dish.
Recipes
Suggested Uses
As a Flavor Finish - whisk equal parts tamarind and brown sugar. Toss with roasted squash and top with crushed nuts (peanuts)
As a Glaze - tamarind cwith honey, fish sauce, minced ginger and garlic, reduce to syrup brush onto shrimp as cooking
As a Vinaigrette - whisk 2 parts fresh orange juice with 1 part tamarind and vegetable oil, toss with green salad and top with almonds.
Other Common Names
Tamarind, Assam, Indian Date.*
Health Benefits
Tamarind fruit contains certain health benefiting essential volatile chemical compounds, minerals, vitamins and dietary fiber.
Its sticky pulp is a rich source of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) or dietary-fiber such as gums, hemicelluloses, mucilage, pectin and tannins. 100 g of fruit pulp provides 5.1 or over 13% of dietary fiber. NSP or dietary fiber in the food increases its bulk and augments bowel movements thereby help prevent constipation. The fiber also binds to toxins in the food thereby help protect the colon mucus membrane from cancer-causing chemicals.
In addition, dietary fibers in the pulp bind to bile salts (produced from cholesterol) and decrease their re-absorption in the colon; thereby help in expulsion of “bad” or LDL cholesterol levels from the body.
While lemon compose citric acid, tamarind is rich in tartaric acid. Tartaric acid gives sour taste to food besides its inherent activity as a powerful antioxidant. (Anti-oxidant E-number is E334). It, thus, helps human body protect from harmful free radicals.
Tamarind fruit contains many volatile phytochemicals such as limonene, geraniol, safrole, cinnamic acid, methyl salicylate, pyrazine and alkylthiazoles. Together, these compounds account for the medicinal properties of tamarind.
This prized condiment spice is a good source of minerals like copper, potassium, calcium, iron, selenium, zinc and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure. Iron is essential for red blood cell production and as a co-factor for cytochrome oxidases enzymes.
In addition, it is also rich in many vital vitamins, including thiamin (36% of daily required levels), vitamin-A, folic acid, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin-C. Much of these vitamins plays antioxidant as well as co-factor functions for enzyme metabolism inside the body.
Pure, natural, fresh herbs and spices blended and packed in Australia from imported and local ingredients then flown directly to our Williamson Wines Epicurean Kitchen in California.
| Botanical Name | Tamarindus indica |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Tamarind, Assam, Indian Date |
| Flavor | tangy and fruity |
| Contains | tamarind block |
| Application | take a walnut-sized piece, soak it in 2 tablespoons of hot water for 10-15 minutes |
