Discovering the Tamarind

There is a Buddhist parable about the tamarind tree in which its seeds are said to be symbols of faithfulness and forbearance. While the story doesn’t say much about the tamarind as food, it does illuminate a little bit about the history of this venerable plant and its incredible sweet and sour fruit. Originating in Africa, the tamarind tree spread all over the world and was widely known in Buddha’s time. In the early 1600s, the tree and its delicious fruit were introduced to the Western Hemisphere, specifically, Mexico and the Caribbean. This widespread importation and trade of the tamarind over so many years is a testament to both its usefulness and its possibilities for today’s chefs.