A Childhood Favorite, Tamarind And Its Significance

By Author: Vinod Kumar Jain
Total Articles: 1
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Tamarind or Imli, when these words swirls in mind, often people get transferred in old memories of childhood. Especially Indian people, because tamarind or imli has always been a special part of their childhood. During school time when one friend used to bring a handful of imli, he/she used to share it with whole class. Sometimes even with a teacher. Not only, children, it is also preferred by pregnant women. It is not only important in food but has many other advantages. Tamarind in India is widely used for its medicinal use apart from food. It is also used for cleaning costly furniture.

The tree of tamarindo is umbrella shaped and short with long leaves. It can survive in odd weather conditions except cold regions. This is the reason why its life is longer. Some trees live even for two hundred years. The tree of tamarind bears curvy pods that protect seeds like shell. These pods contain 8-12 seeds each, which are sour. These seeds are crushed in order to use the sour paste of tamarind. The Tamarindus indica is native to Africa and is spread all over the world, mostly by human transportation. However, it is also said ...
... that tamarind in India used to grow since several years.

Tamarindo is used as a sour agent in various cuisines and Indian, Indonesian and Malaysian cuisines are incomplete without tamarind. In India, tamarind is used in south Indian dishes in a large amount as it gives sweet and tart taste to food. Tamarindus indica can also be used as a substitute of lemon. Indian spicy food is often served with sweet-tart chutney and imli plays a significant role in preparing Indian chutney. Tamarind in India is also used as a flavoring agent in various Indian beverages which taste good and are good for health. Why only Indian beverages, it is also a flavoring agent in Worcestershire sauce and cola drink. The junk food available in almost all part of India like pani-puri, samosa, vada pav, bhel, sevpuri, etc. is served only with imli chutney.

Tamarind in India is widely used for medicinal purposes. It has many minerals, vitamins and dietary fibers, which are good for health. Some people suggest that it is good for cancer as it is rich in antioxidants. People who have a deficiency of vitamin C, consume it in more quantity as it has vitamin C in large quantity. The leaves of tamarindo are used for treating burns also. The illness like sour throat, fever, cold can be cured by drinking sherbet of Tamarindus indica. Apart from vitamin C, the tamarind is rich source of potassium and iron and hence, it is very useful for controlling blood pressure, purifying blood and producing red cells in the body.

Tamarind can be used in many ways apart from food only we need to learn about its uses.