Tamarind

Tamarind is a large, long-lived evergreen tree of the legume family with a broad crown, feathery pinnate leaves, small red-striped yellow flowers and curved brown pods holding sticky, sweet-sour pulp around glossy seeds. Native to tropical Africa, it has been naturalised in India for centuries, including Kerala.

The fruit and leaves are used. Ayurveda calls it Amlika and traditionally uses the pulp in digestive preparations. It is a basic souring agent in South Indian cooking.