A staple in every Thai kitchen !
When asked to think of an ingredient with a sour flavour, most people will immediately think of limes or vinegar.
Chances are tamarind paste won’t even be anywhere near the top of most people’s lists.
Known in Thai as "Makaam", tamarind is used in Thai cuisine to give a distinct sour taste that other ingredients can’t replicate.
What Is Tamarind Paste?
Tamarind paste is made from a sour, dark, sticky fruit that grows in a pod on a tamarind tree. The dark reddish-brown fruit is removed from the pods and must be separated from the seeds to become a ready-to-use cooking paste.
Even though it’s sour, tamarind doesn’t have any hint of citrus whatsoever. Instead, it smells like sweet fruit, but its sweetness is very subtle.
Cooking With Tamarind Paste
Because of its sour taste, whatever recipe you are making will need sugar or some kind of sweetener. The good thing with deSIAM tamarind paste is that we have already added a bit of sugar, so you can use straight from the sachet !
Tamarind gives dishes a beautiful but subtle, sweet-sour flavor used for all types of dishes, including soups and stir-fries.
Tamarind sauce is a critical ingredient in many Thai recipes, including the famous Pad Thai.
It is commonly used in various northern Thai dishes, it is also very effective as a natural preservative and marinade.
Health Benefits of Tamarind
Tamarind has a high vitamin C content, which can help combat colds and other infections. It also has a cooling effect, which will help to prevent heat stroke and heat-induced migraines. Additionally, it can also help alleviate indigestion and acid reflux, which makes it an incredibly healthy ingredient.