Health benefits of tamarind

Tamarind is a type of tropical fruit that comes from the tamarind tree, native to Africa but it also grows in other tropical regions including India. The tamarind tree produces bean-like pods which contain seeds and a fibrous pulp. As these pods ripen, the pulp becomes paste-like and takes on a sweet-sour taste.

Tamarind is probably best known for its use in Asian, Mexican and Caribbean dishes, and it is typically bought as a paste or a purée, but it can also be bought as raw pods, a pressed block and as tamarind concentrate.