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Tamarindo (drink)
Tamarindo, also commonly known as Agua de Tamarindo, is a non-alcoholic beverage composing of tamarind, sugar and water. The tamarind plant originated in Africa but has since been widely distributed on a global scale and is commonly found in tropical regions. The tamarind plant produces fruit pods containing pulp and seeds. Tamarind is a versatile ingredient that is used for a variety of commercial, culinary and medical purposes. The pulp is the most commonly used part of the tamarind plant and is used in a range of beverages including tamarindo and other similar beverages such as Nam Ma Kham Wan in Thailand and Poha Beer in Ghana. Tamarind pulp offers a flavour that ranges from sour to sweet. Tamarindo is a sour-sweet beverage (dependent on the amount of sugar added) recognised as a popular flavour of aguas frescas and is traditionally consumed in Latin America. Comprising only three ingredients, tamarindo involves a simple production process making it an easy beverage to prepare at home. Tamarindo has been produced commercially as a soda flavour, by companies such as Jarritos and Nestle, and distributed globally.

History
The tamarind plant has origins in Africa where it has been commonly utilised as a shade tree. In the 4th century BC tamarind fruit was common among the Greeks and ancient Egyptians. The tamarind plant has since been distributed and cultivated in over 50 countries worldwide, notably in Asia (in particular the Indian subcontinent), and Latin America. During the 16th century tamarind was introduced into Mexico where it became commonly used as a flavour of aguas frescas. Aguas frescas are a type of non-alcoholic beverage, comprising water, sugar and one or more seasonal fruits, seeds, cereals or flowers. These beverages are sold primarily in Mexico and other Latin American countries and has since been introduced into the United States. Aguas frescas are commonly sold at street vendors as well as at restaurants and taquerias. Traditionally aguas frescas are served from an authentic Mexican glass dispenser (a vitrolero) with a ladle and poured over ice. Aguas frescas are beverages typically enjoyed with meals or as a refreshing beverage (usually consumed in the warmer months). Tamarindo is among one of the many popular flavours of aguas frescas, alongside other flavours such as horchata and hibiscus.

Ingredients
Tamarindo consists of a combination of 3 ingredients: tamarind, water and sugar.

Tamarind
The primary ingredient of tamarindo, tamarind (also known as Tamarindus indica L), is a legume part of the Fabaceae family. Tamarind grows on tamarind trees which are typically found in tropical regions and grow to 24 meters high on average. The trees produce fruit in abundance, on average, for 50 to 60 years but can live for over 200 years. Tamarind trees produce brown fruit pods that enclose one to twelve reddish-brown seeds as well as pulp. High levels of tartaric acid makes tamarind fruit highly acidic. Tartaric acid is a common component of other sour fruits such as raspberries and grapes. Depending on the ripeness of the tamarind fruit the taste of the pulp can range from sour to sweet. The more ripe the tamarind fruit, the sweeter it tastes due to increased sugar levels that balance out the proportion of tartaric acid. The pulp is the most commonly extracted part of the tamarind plant. Tamarind pulp contains high proportions of carbohydrates (41.1 to 61.4 grams per 100 grams) and low levels of fat (0.6 grams per 100 grams). The pulp is high in various vitamins and minerals, including potassium (62 to 570 milligrams per 100g), calcium (81 to 466 milligrams per 100 grams) and phosphorus (86 to 190 milligrams per 100 grams). Tamarind seeds are also utilised as a food source. They contain high levels of protein (26.9 grams per 100 grams) and oil (10.9 grams per 100 grams). In some countries, tamarind seeds are used as an emergency food because of high protein levels. The leaves of the tamarind plant are high in calcium and protein and have been consumed by domestic animals and wild animals, including elephants, as a fodder.

Production
Mature and protected tamarind trees can produce up to 150 to 225 kilograms of tamarind fruit per year. On average, however, tamarind trees produce between 30 and 50 kilograms of fruit annually. The tamarind fruit is most commonly produced in its sour form and accounts for 95% of tamarind production worldwide. India (in particular the states of Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Karnataka) and Thailand are the largest Asian producers of tamarind and Mexico is the largest producer of tamarind in the Western hemisphere. The majority of African countries do not produce tamarind commercially, but it is commonly utilised by the local people. The pharmaceutical industry in America is responsible for processing 100 tonnes of tamarind pulp annually.

Uses
Most parts of the tamarind tree (including the wood, bark, flowers, leaves, pulp and seeds) are used for a variety of commercial, culinary and medicinal purposes.

Commercial uses
Tamarind trees are used as shade trees and ornamental trees (common along highways and in parks). Tamarind seeds are used in the production of tamarind kernel powder which is used as a sizing agent in the textile industry because of its ability to absorb water and swell up. In India tamarind kernel powder has been used as a sizing agent in the production of cotton. In Bengal tamarind seeds are used in the production of an oil used in varnishes. The wood of the tamarind plant is used in carpentry (such as making furniture and wheels) and the leaves and flowers are used as a setting agent for dyes.

Culinary uses
Tamarind pulp is the most common part of the tamarind plant used for culinary purposes. The pulp is used in a range of chutneys, curries, sauces (such as Worcestershire sauce and barbecue sauce) and beverages (such as tamarindo). In Sri Lanka tamarind pulp has been used as a lime alternative and in Sengel the pulp is mixed with sugar to produce sweet meats known as ‘bengal’. In India tamarind pulp is made into a juice used in the preservation of fish and in many countries of East Africa the pulp is used in the making of a dish called ‘ugali’ (a type of maize flour porridge). Tamarind fruits have been utilised in the production of tamarind syrup in Puerto Rico which has been used by street vendors to flavour shaved ice. The seeds of the tamarind plant are also used for culinary purposes. The whole seed cannot be directly consumed but are edible after being soaked and boiled in water. The seeds are commonly used in jellies, marmalades and jams because they contain pectin which gives them ‘jelly forming properties’. Tamarind seeds have also been used as a stabiliser in the production of cheese, ice cream and mayonnaise. In Indonesia, after the seeds have been roasted, they are consumed as a snack accompanied with salt and grated coconut and in Thailand tamarind seeds are used as a coffee alternative.

Medicinal uses
Different parts of the tamarind plant have been used globally for various medicinal purposes. In the northern parts of Nigeria, the roots of the tamarind plant are used to treat leprosy. In America tamarind pulp has been utilised as a laxative and to treat a range of ailments such as alleviating sunstroke and sore throats. In Thailand the pulp has been transformed into a tablet to reduce excess weight and in Brazil the pulp is used for its moisturising effects. The pulp has also been used in traditional medicine to treat colds, diarrhoea and to reduce inflammation. Tamarind seeds have been used in powdered form to aid dysentery in India and Cambodia and in Ethiopia softened tamarind seeds are used to rid parasitic worms. The bark of the tamarind tree is used to treat malaria in Uganda and has been made into lotions in the Philippines to treat ulcers and boils.

Production
There are different variations of tamarindo, however it is typically made by shelling the tamarind pods and adding them to boiling water. The pods are left to soak for approximately 45 minutes then the seeds are removed from the pods. This leaves the pulp which is then strained through a sieve and blended with water and sugar. Store bought tamarind pulp can be used as an alternative to minimise the time required to prepare the tamarind pods. Once the ingredients are combined the beverage is served over ice. This process typically takes between 45 minutes to an hour to complete, but is dependent on if store bought tamarind pulp is used or how long the tamarind pods are left to soak. In the commercial production of tamarindo the beverage is carbonated, making it similar to a soft drink. The use of tamarind pulp in tamarindo makes the beverage a good source of potassium, calcium and carbohydrates and contains high levels of Vitamin B (Vitamin B1 - thiamine and Vitamin B3 - niacin) and small amounts of Vitamin C.

Producers
Tamarindo is traditionally sold at street vendors throughout Latin America. Street vendors play an important role in Latin American culture as they comprise a significant portion of the informal economy and are responsible for providing many employment opportunities for local people. They have become introduced into the United States by immigrants as a way to reproduce experiences similar to that in their home countries. Street vendors typically sell food, beverages, clothing and other daily use items. Tamarindo, along with various other flavours of aguas frescas, are common products sold at street vendors, taquerias and restaurants in both Latin America and the United States. Tamarindo is now commercially produced by a range of companies and distributed globally. Jarritos and Nestle are two companies that have introduced Tamarindo as a flavoured beverage accessible for commercial consumption. Jarritos is a Mexican soft drink brand that was established in 1950 and has since been distributed into the United States and internationally. Jarritos offers a range of flavours alongside Tamarindo, including Mandarin, Lime and Guava. Global food and beverage company, Nestle, introduced three Latin American inspired flavours into the United States in 2011 which included Tamarindo, Horchata and Jamaica.

Variations
There are a range of beverages, similar to tamarindo, that utilise tamarind as the primary component.

Poha Beer
Poha Beer is a tamarind based beverage commonly consumed in Ghana. It is composed primarily of tamarind pulp in addition to spices, such as ginger and peppercorn. The preparation of Poha Beer involves seven key stages including: threshing (removal of the outer covering of the fruit), fermenting (the fruit is covered in water and left to ferment), moulding (the fruit is moulded into balls), soaking (the pulp is extracted by leaving the fruits to soak in warm or cold water), mashing (the fruits are mashed to extract more pulp), decanting (the removal of unwanted materials) and spicing (spices, such as ginger and peppercorns, are added to flavour).

Nam Ma Kham Wan
Nam Ma Kham Wan is a popular beverage consumed in Thailand made with tamarind pulp, water, salt and sugar. The tamarind pulp is mixed and blended with water then boiled. Salt and sugar are then added to the mixture which is then cooled and served over ice.

Nuoc Da Me
Nuoc Da Me is a tamarind based beverage typically consumed in Vietnam. It is a simple drink to make involving tamarind pulp being mixed with sugar and water which is then served over a glass filled with ice, water and any type of nut (usually peanuts).

Imli Ka Amlana
Imli Ka Amlana is a tamarind based beverage consumed in India. It is made by combining various spices (usually black salt, black pepper, cardamom powder and cumin powder) and sugar with tamarind pulp and serving it chilled over ice. Imli Ka Amlana was made available for commercial consumption by Paper Boats but the product has now since been discontinued.