Why is tamarind popular in Mexico?

Tamarind in Mexico Most trees are planted for the fruit, but some are planted as shade trees because they are so wide. Tamarind fruit flavor is very popular and is used to flavor many foods and candies and even water.

Who brought tamarind to Mexico?

In the 16th century, it was introduced to Mexico and Central America, and to a lesser degree to South America, by Spanish and Portuguese colonists, to the degree that it became a staple ingredient in the region’s cuisine. Today, India is the largest producer of tamarind.

Where did tamarind originate from?

tropical Africa
tamarind, (Tamarindus indica), evergreen tree of the pea family (Fabaceae), native to tropical Africa. It is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions for its edible fruit, the sweet and sour pulp of which is extensively used in foods, beverages, and traditional medicines.

What is tamarind used for?

Tamarind is a tree. Its partially dried fruit is used to make medicine. People use tamarind for dry eye. It is also used for constipation, fever, gallbladder disorders, disorders affecting bile flow in the liver, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.

Who discovered tamarind?

Origin and Distribution The fruit was well known to the ancient Egyptians and to the Greeks in the 4th Century B.C. The tree has long been naturalized in the East Indies and the islands of the Pacific. One of the first tamarind trees in Hawaii was planted in 1797.

How did tamarind get to India?

It is envisaged that tamarind was introduced in India by the Ethiopian traders before the Arabian traders reached India. The fruit of the tamarind tree or ‘Assam tree’ is known as ‘imli’ or ‘Indian date’. The sticky acidic pulp of tamarind fruit has been used as a food ingredient and medicine for many years.

Is Mexican tamarind sweet or sour?

The tamarind is best described as sweet and sour in taste, and is high in tartaric acid, sugar, B vitamins and, oddly for a fruit. We have the most popular candies made from tamarind. There are various snack forms: sweet, soft clusters, or candied.

Is tamarind indigenous to Mexico?

But it was only by a brain pedo of God that tamarind isn’t native to Mexico, as no other culture save certain Hindoos loves it the way we do. And when we pare it with chile (which we always do), it’s the greatest product of foreign-yet-similar cultures since the leprecano.

Are tamarind seeds poisonous?

Yep, they are edible and I am eating them right now. They are roasted untill they turn black charcoal colored and then peeled. The kernel smells a bit like coffee bean. They are very hard to bite, so they must be kept in the mouth for some time mixing with saliva and eaten slowly.

Can you eat raw tamarind?

The edible part of the tamarind plant is the fibrous pulp that covers the seeds. This pulp can either be eaten raw or processed into something new.

Why is tamarind bad for health?

Using in amounts greater than those found in foods should be avoided until more is known. Diabetes: Tamarind might lower blood sugar levels. There is a concern that it might interfere with blood sugar control. If you have diabetes and use tamarind, monitor your blood sugar levels closely.

Does tamarind grow in USA?

Although its native habitat is across tropical regions in Africa, tamarind also prospers in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and 11.

Where can I find tamarind in Mexico?

Tamarind in Mexico. Jalisco, Guerrero, Colima, Chiapas and Veracruz are the top tamarind producers in Mexico. Most trees are planted for the fruit, but some are planted as shade trees because they are so wide. Tamarind fruit flavor is very popular and is used to flavor many foods and candies and even water.

What happens to Tamarind when it matures?

As the fruit matures the greenish insides turn brown and the pod becomes more bulbous. As the fruit dries out, the pod becomes stiff and brittle, the insides become pasty and the seeds turn brown. Jalisco, Guerrero, Colima, Chiapas, and Veracruz are the top tamarind producers in Mexico.

Which country is the largest producer of tamarind in the world?

Today, India is the largest producer of tamarind. The consumption of tamarind is widespread due to its central role in the cuisines of the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and the Americas, especially Mexico.

What are the different uses of tamarind pulp?

The ripe tamarind pulp has many uses. Some recipes call for the pulp to be removed from the pod first, and others allow soaking in the cooking liquid and breaking the pod open in the liquid to release the pulp, then straining the mixture to remove the pieces of the outer shell. Tamarind can be added to soups, marinades, or sweets.