Tamarind (Imlee) Tree.

These here are pictures of my Tamarind tree, locally known as Imlee.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamarind

It is very popular in Pakistan, and so is planted in huge numbers. However it is originally a native of tropical Africa.

It grows up to become a huge tree, often reaching heights of over 50 feet. And is also fast growing too, that gives fruit after only 3 years of planting (provided that your soil is good). This is why it can also be considered a cash crop - As a fully mature tree can easily give almost 200 kilos of fruit per season.

The fruit of this tree (which we locally call Imlee) is very tasty. Although it is also eaten raw, we mostly make a dip sauce out of it (that goes very well with anything on the Bar-B-Que). Amazingly, it tastes very similar to HP Sauce (even the color is exact) - But Tamarind is not an ingredient of HP Sauce.

Anyway these are pictures of my Tamarind tree and it's fruit. I left it on the tree for too long, that's why it's now gone totally dry from the inside. But that is not really a problem, as all I have to do is soak it in some water, and it will go back to it's original composition.

To make the Tamarind dip sauce (which we in Pakistan call Imlee ki chatney), you simply put the fruit in hot water for about 15 minutes until it becomes soft. Than remove all seeds and pour through a strainer - And you are done!

Or, if you'd like to add some other ingredients. Than here is a very popular recipe:

1 1/2 ounce Imli (Tamarind).
1 ounce Sugar.
1 cup water.
2 table spoon rasons.
1/4 spoon red chili powder.
Salt to taste.

Imlee (Tamarind) and it's dip sauce can also be easily bought from just about any store or supermarket over here. It is sold in both branded and unbranded packages.

But as a tree, it is a wonderful thing to have in your home. It's shade is also very dense, stays a lush green color for the whole year. And does not attract any pests except for ants (because of it's sweet fruit). But this too is easily taken care of by picking the fruit just as it ripens.

The Tamarind tree's fruit is also said to have some medicinal uses too. For example: It is a mild anti-bacterial (known to kill off Salmonella). And also has a good effect on gastric and digestive problems (like expelling worms from the guts). As well as being a low grade anti-septic and anti-viral.

The tree's wood is also very hard and dense (of a deep red color), hence very durable when it comes to making furniture and wood flooring.





Tamarind tree flowering. ( photo / image / picture from S-H's Garden )


Tamarind fruit hanging on the tree. ( photo / image / picture from S-H's Garden )


Tamarind fruit up close (outer shell cracked). ( photo / image / picture from S-H's Garden )


More Tamarind fruit, that has became extra dry. ( photo / image / picture from S-H's Garden )


Tamarind tree seeds. ( photo / image / picture from S-H's Garden )


Tamarind fruit (and dip sauce) bought from the store. ( photo / image / picture from S-H's Garden )


Ready made branded Tamarind dip sauce. ( photo / image / picture from S-H's Garden )

 

Now, that is an interesting tree.. Time for some research to see if it will grow in my yard. Hank

 

Yes indeed Henry, Tamarind tree will grow very nicely in your part of the world (in fact it is likely to thrive)! I just found this very interesting page with lots of information about this amazing tree.

Here is the link:
http://www.tamarindfruit.com/

And this here is a link on how to make Tamarind Jam, Candy, Paste, and Balls (at home).
http://www.ehow.com/how_5098454_make-ta ... candy.html

And Eileen, don't worry if you can't find Tamarind in your local markets - You can still order it online from this supplier in UK!

Here is the link:
http://www.healthysupplies.co.uk/tamarind-paste.html

 

Tamarind sauce is the secret ingredient for great Pad Thai. I usually can find it in Thai or Asian Markets here near Seattle. I have tried to make the sauce from the dried fruit/seeds before, and it was pretty difficult to separate the seed from the fruit, even with cooking.

 

Interesting.... the leaves, seeds pods and seeds seem very similar to the Pride of Barbados.
Wonder if they are in the same family? Will have to read more this evening.

 

Oh no Cherylad, Pride of Barbados is a totally different plant. I say this because I just now put in the 2 key words into Google ("Tamarind" + "Pride of Barbados") - And so no pages came where I could find confirmation of this. Except for 2 pages, where other people had also thought that they were related.

And Karrma, you are probably over doing it a bit when it comes to cooking it. As usually warm water alone is enough. I think you are not using you hands to separate the seeds. Perhaps that is why it's not working as you'd like it to.

Anyway I found this video clip on YouTube that explains it all!

http://youtu.be/-Wqtn708b3M

 

Thanks S-H for clearing that up for me... they just looked so similar.
Guess I won't try to make dip out of it now.
:-o
Very interesting post. Thanks!

 

I by the way did not know what Pride of Barbados was. So I looked up it's pictures in Google - And found it to be what we over here in Pakistan know as the Gulmohar tree (Delonix regia).

See this video of the Gulmohar tree.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3O3iUGWClQ

However, the Imlee (Tamarind) tree is totally different thing. See this video for example:
http://youtu.be/3yVzxjxb1wc


Another shot of the Tamarind fruit up close. ( photo / image / picture from S-H's Garden )

 

I love this tree. Had some seeds, and I had a seedling that never took off and later on just died.