what is tamarind?

i recently heard about tamarind and wanted to know what it is.i only have seen it in stores as a broth mix/seasoning (sold in packets,like soup). could you tell me how you use it,and what with?I wanted to use it with seafood,but don't know how...

You can get tamarind as a broth base (a popular brand is the yellow and green packet from Knorr) and also to eat straight out of it's shell-like casing which is usually sold in a box. A good place to get both is at Ranch 99 Market at the Great Wall Mall in Kent.

It's a very sour fruit, used in all types of recipes: esp sauces/soups as a souring agent.

amy tamarind is grown thruout asia, india and africa as well as tropical american and south american area's on the "Tamarind Tree". it originated in eastern africa and some consider it one of the most important spices of african origin. it is sour and tart utilized many different ways in ethinic cusines. the best way to become aquainted with tamarind in seattle is to buy some fresh. it's available in many oriental markets as well as the central market in shoreline fresh and in various dry pastes and as candy from the phillipines. it's also served in beverages. try it it's fun and delicious and you'll be able to find it used in many recipies.

[The Chowhound Team]

Hi Amy,

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In the meantime, it's a sour fruit (vegetable) used in some Asian and Mexican dishes. Not sure if it's in the citric family, but it sure tastes like it. I have seen vinegar and and/lime substituted.

Sinigang (sp?) is a Filipino soup which uses a lot of it. In pieces when available; powdered broth (as you say) when not.

Several people died in Mexico last year from some tamarind candy or tamarind chewing gum which was tainted. Not an indictment of the fruit; just an FYI. It was cleaning solvent or somesuch in the machinery to blame.

Sinigang is usually a FISH stew, btw. So it might be up your alley.

Me, I usually look for pork sinigang...which is a lot less common.