{{Taxobox

| name = Tamarind

| image = Tamarindus indica pods.JPG

| image_width = 240px

| regnum = [[Plantae]]

| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]

| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]

| ordo = [[Fabales]]

| familia = [[Fabaceae]]

| subfamilia = [[Caesalpinioideae]]

| tribus = [[Detarieae]]

| genus = '''''Tamarindus'''''

| species = '''''T. indica'''''

| binomial = ''Tamarindus indica''

| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]

}}

:''This article refers to the tree. For other uses see [[Tamarindo (disambiguation)]].''

The '''Tamarind''' ('''''Tamarindus indica''''') (from the Arabic: تمر هندي tamar hindi = Indian date) is in the [[rank (botany)|family]] [[Fabaceae]]. The genus '''''Tamarindus''''' is monotypic (having only a single species). It is a tropical [[tree]], native to tropical [[Africa]]<ref name=Morton>{{cite book | author = Morton, Julia F. | title = Fruits of Warm Climates | pages = 115-121 | publisher = Wipf and Stock Publishers | year = 1987 | isbn = 0-9653360-7-7}}</ref>, including Sudan and parts of the [[Madagascar dry deciduous forests]]. It was introduced into India so long ago that it has often been reported as indigenous there, and it was apparently from India that it reached the Persians and the Arabs who called it "tamar hindi" (Indian date, from the date-like appearance of the dried pulp), giving rise to both its common and generic names<ref>http://www.healthline.com/natstandardcontent/tamarind Name of tamarind</ref>. Unfortunately, the specific name, "indica", also perpetuates the illusion of Indian origin. The fruit was well known to the ancient Egyptians and to the Greeks in the 4th Century B.C.E.<ref name=Morton/>

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. The tamarind was certainly introduced into tropical America, mainly [[Mexico]], as well as Bermuda, the Bahamas, and the West Indies much earlier. In all tropical and near-tropical areas, including South Florida, it is grown as a shade and fruit tree, along roadsides and in dooryards and parks. There are large commercial plantings in [[Mexico]], [[Belize]] and some other Central American countries and in northern Brazil. In India there are extensive tamarind orchards producing 275,500 tons (250,000 MT) annually. The pulp is marketed in northern Malaya and to some extent wherever the tree is found even if there are no plantations.

[[Image:TamarindSeedling.jpg|thumb|left|A Tamarind seedling]]

The [[tree]] can grow up to 20 m in height, and stays [[evergreen]] in regions without a dry season. Tamarind [[timber]] consists of hard, dark red [[heartwood]] and softer, yellowish sapwood. The leaves consist of 10&ndash;40 [[leaflet]]s. The [[flower]]s are produced in [[raceme]]s. The [[fruit]] is a brown pod-like [[legume]], which contains a soft acidic pulp and many hard-coated [[seed]]s. The seeds can be [[scarification|scarified]] to enhance [[germination]].

Alternative names include '''Indian date''', translation of [[Arabic language|Arabic]] تمر هندي ''tamr hindī''. In [[Malaysia]] it is called ''asam'' in [[Malay language|Malay]] and ''swee boey'' in Hokkien ([[Min Nan]]). In [[Indonesia]] it is called ''asem'' (or ''asam'') ''Jawa'' (means ''Javanese asam'') in [[Indonesian language|Indonesian]]. In the [[Philippines]] it is called ''[[sampaloc]]'' in [[Tagalog language|Tagalog]] and ''sambag'' in [[Cebuano]]. In Oriya it is called ''[[tentuli]]''. In [[Hindi]] it is called ''imli''. in [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]] it is called '''[[Amli]]''' , In [[Marathi]] it is called ''chinch''. In [[Bengali language|Bangla]], the term is ''tẽtul''. In [[Sinhalese language|Sinhala]] the name is ''siyambala'', in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] it is called chintachettu (tree) and chintapandu (fruit extract) and in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] and [[Malayalam]] it is ''puli'' (புளி). In [[Kannada]] it is called ''hunase''. In [[Malagasy]] it is called ''voamadilo''. The [[Vietnamese language|Vietnamese]] term is ''me''. In [[Puerto Rico]] it is called "tamarindo". The tamarind is the provincial tree of the [[Phetchabun province]] of [[Thailand]] (in Thailand it is called ''ma-kham''). In Taiwan it is called ''loan-tz''.

Tamarind (''Tamarindus indica'') should not be confused with the Manila tamarind (''[[Pithecellobium dulce]]''), which is an entirely different plant, though also in Fabaceae.

[[Image:Tamarindus indica, leaves, pod.jpg|thumb|left|''Tamarindus'' leaves and pod]]

==Uses==

The fruit pulp is edible and popular. It is used as a [[spice]] in both Asian and Latin American cuisines, and is also an important ingredient in Pulusu (Tamarind based sauce from Andhra Pradesh, India) [[Worcestershire sauce]], [[HP sauce]] and the Jamaican-produced [[Pickapeppa sauce]] <ref>[http://www.pickapeppa.com/ Pickapeppa Sauce - The unique and delicious Jamaican international legend<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. The hard green pulp of a young fruit is very tart and acidic and is most often used as a component of savory dishes. The ripened fruit is sweeter, yet still distinctively sour, and can be used in desserts and sweetened drinks, or as a snack. In Thailand, there is a carefully cultivated sweet variety with little to no tartness grown specifically to be eaten as a fresh fruit.

The leaves are also distinctly tart in flavor, and are used in many soups in the North Eastern part of Thailand.

[[Image:tamarind tree.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Tamarind tree, [[India]]]]

In temples, especially in Asian countries, the pulp is used to clean brass shrine furniture, removing dulling and the greenish patina that forms.<ref>[http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/tamarind.html#Other%20Uses Tamarind<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

The wood is a bold red color. Due to its density and durability, tamarind heartwood can be used in making [[furniture]] and wood flooring. A [[tamarind switch]] is sometimes used as an implement for [[physical punishment|corporal punishment]].

Tamarind trees are very common in South India, particularly in [[Tamil Nadu]] and [[Andhra Pradesh]]. They are used as [[ornamental tree]]s and to provide shade on the country roads and highways. Tamarind is extensively used in the cuisine of both these states.

Tamarind is a staple in [[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[Tamil Nadu]] diet, where it is used to prepare [[Rasam]], [[Sambar (dish)|Sambhar]], [[Puliyogare]], and various types of [[chutney]]s.

The pulp, leaves, and [[bark]] also have medical applications. For example, in the [[Philippines]], the leaves have been traditionally used in [[herbal tea]] for reducing [[malaria]] fever. Due to its medicinal value, tamarind is used as an [[Ayurveda|Ayurvedic Medicine]] for gastric and/or digestion problems.

In [[Egypt]], there is an acidic chilled drink made from tamarind which is popular in summertime. It is called "tamr hindi".

In [[Madagascar]], the tree is known as the kily tree. Its fruits and leaves are a well-known favorite of [[Ring tailed lemur|ring-tailed lemurs]], providing as much as 50% of their food resources during the year if available.

Tamarind is available in specialty food stores worldwide in pod form or as a paste or concentrate. In [[Mexico]] it is sold in various snack forms, where it is dried and salted, or candied (see for example [[pulparindo]] or [[chamoy]] snacks). [[Mexican]]s commonly drink it as a cold [[agua fresca]] beverage or have it in iced [[fruit bar]]s and [[raspado]]s. The [[Mexican]] immigrant communities in the US have continued to fashion the drink as "agua de tamarindo", and many other kinds of treats.

[[Pad Thai]], a Thai dish popular with Europeans and Americans, sometimes includes tamarind for its tart taste (though lime juice and/or white vinegar are more commonly used). A tamarind-based sweet-and-sour sauce served over deep-fried fish is also a common dish in Central Thailand. In Singapore and Malaysia it is used to add a sweet-sour taste to gravy for fish in a dish called [[asam fish]]. In the Philippines it is used to add a sour taste in [[Sinigang]] soup.

[[Image:tamarind2.jpg|left|thumb|Native Philippine Tamarind]]

In the state of [[Andhra Pradesh]] in [[India]], a tangy [[pickling|pickle]] is made from Tamarind flowers.

[[Image:Tamarind clara.jpg|thumb|right|Tamarind on a place of the foundation of city [[Santa Clara, Cuba]]]]

The tamarind tree is the official plant of [[Santa Clara, Cuba]]. Consequently it appears in the coat of arms of the city.

Other uses: tamarind has recently become popular in [[bonsai]] culture, frequently used in Asian countries like Indonesia, Taiwan and the Philippines. In the last Japan Airlines World Bonsai competition, Mr. Budi Sulistyo of Indonesia won the second prize with an ancient tamarind bonsai.

==References and external links==

*Dassanayake, M. D. & Fosberg, F. R. (Eds.). (1991). ''A Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon''. Washington, D. C.: [[Smithsonian Institution]].

*[[Joseph Dalton Hooker|Hooker, Joseph Dalton]]. (1879). ''The Flora of British India'', Vol II. London: L. Reeve & Co.

* [http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/tamarind.html Fruits of Warm Climates: Tamarind]

* [http://www.plantcultures.org.uk/plants/tamarind_landing.html Plant Cultures: History and botany of tamarind]

* [http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/tamarind.html California Rare Fruit Growers: Tamarind Fruit Facts]

* [http://www.pickapeppa.com/ Official Pickapeppa sauce web site]

{{Herbs & spices}}

==References==

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Arabic words and phrases]]

[[Category:Caesalpinioideae]]

[[Category:Fruit]]

[[Category:Spices]]

[[Category:Trees of Africa]]

[[Category:Flora of India]]

[[Category:Flora of Pakistan]]

[[Category:Monotypic plant genera]]

[[ar:تمر هندي]]

[[gn:Tamaríno]]

[[ca:Tamarinde]]

[[de:Tamarindenbaum]]

[[dv:ހެލެނބެލި]]

[[es:Tamarindo]]

[[eu:Tamarindo]]

[[fr:Tamarinier]]

[[ilo:Salamagi]]

[[id:Asam jawa]]

[[it:Tamarindus indica]]

[[pam:Sampaluk]]

[[kn:ಹುಣಸೆ]]

[[ka:თამარინდი]]

[[ht:Tamaren]]

[[hu:Tamarindusz]]

[[ml:പുളി]]

[[ms:Asam jawa]]

[[nl:Tamarinde]]

[[ja:タマリンド]]

[[pl:Tamaryndowiec indyjski]]

[[pt:Tamarindus]]

[[ru:Тамаринд]]

[[fi:Tamarindi]]

[[sv:Tamarind]]

[[ta:புளிய மரம்]]

[[te:చింత]]

[[th:มะขาม]]

[[vi:Me]]

[[to:Tamaline]]

[[tr:Demirhindi]]

[[zh:酸豆]]