Tamarind concentrate can be purchased from the grocery already made, or you can easily make it yourself. The concentrate is great because of its flavor and uses, and also, because it will keep in the refrigerator for a months.
This is what the tamarind seed pod looks like.
Begin by shelling the pods with your hands, its very easy to do.
Remove all the shells and add them to a bowl. After shelling, cover the fruit in boiling water and let it sit for several minutes. After soaking it is easy to remove the strings and seeds from the fruit.
Tamarind need sugar to counter its strong sour taste. Add some lime for an extra flavor.
Now just simmer for about 45 minutes and its ready.
This concentrate is commonly used to make flavored water, all you have to do is strain it, and dilute it with water. Best of all it keeps in the refrigerator for months and months…
Homemade Tamarind Concentrate
Recipe Yield
Cooking time
Rate this recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound dried tamarind with their peel
- 2 cups boiling water
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
To Prepare
- Peel tamarinds of the peel, large seeds and strains. Soak overnight. Strain in a colander and press with your hands or a spoon. Place tamarind juice in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, add sugar, and simmer over medium heat for 40-45 minutes. Juice should have thickened considerably. Squeeze in the fresh lime juice, let it simmer for a couple more minutes and let it cool.
- Store in a container with a tight lid in the refrigerator. It will keep for months.
Comments
10comments inTamarind Concentrate: Basic Recipe
Josie Grimes
Aug 25
Can I use tamarind paste
Pati Jinich
Aug 26
I guess you can Josie, but if your are going to buy the paste, you might as well buy the concentrate 🙂 Anyway, tamarind is delicious so enjoy it!
Nikita
Dec 04
Thank you!
nikita
Nov 16
Hi Pati! Are there any suggestions for buying good quality tamarind pods? There are usually many broken ones in the bags I see at the store. Is this OK? Does it affect the flavor or freshness? Thank you 🙂
Pati
Nov 16
Look for ones that come in boxes! Usually they are in better shape. Nothing happens if part of the shells are broken…but ideally, not all the shells in all the pods…
Maureen Bradley
Jun 10
Hi Pati: I wasn’t able to separate the seeds from the fruit. I shelled the tamarind and left it in boiling water for about 5-6 minutes. The string came off easily but the seeds didn’t separate from the fruit. Should I have left it in the boiling water for more time? Any advice would be most welcome. Thanks! Maureen
Darlene
May 04
Hola Pati!
Thank you so much for posting this recipe. I had been getting the concentrate from the grocery store but then they stopped selling it and I didn’t know how to make it. I wanted more than just the tamarind water…this was exactly what I was looking for! Muchas gracias!!!!
Hilario
Mar 16
can’t you put it on shaved ice to make tamarindo raspados???
Pati
Mar 19
Yes! Of course you can Hilario, YUM!
Susanne
May 05
Dear Mrs. Jinich, do you think I can use the tamarind pulp (with seeds, without shells) that’s sold in block in indian stores?
Thanks, Susanne