Updated June 09, 2015.
Agua de Tamarindo is a popular drink in Mexico made from tamarind pods.It is considered an "agua fresca" or "fresh water" drink.Agua frescas are usually a mix of fruit, sugar, and water.These drinks are similar to lemonade.
The flavor of tamarind is sweet, tangy, and a little bit spicy.The flesh of the pods is used in many dishes including soft drinks, desserts, juices, and candy.Tamarind is also used frequently in Asian cuisine and imparts a sweet and sour tangy flavor to dishes such as pad thai.Tamarind is thought to be a diabetes-friendly food that may offer some diabetes-specific health benefits.
The puffy pods are usually large and brown.They are found in many markets, especially those that carry Mexican products.They can be found in the fruit section or with dried packaged or bulk foods.
The recipe below is a sugarless twist on the traditional recipe and you can use pods or prepared tamarind.Prepared tamarind is sold in blocks, as a paste, or in cans.Make sure there is no sugar or other flavorings added.Tamarind is made into Mexican tamarindo candy or paste which has added sugar, chili, and sometimes other spices.Make sure you are getting pure tamarind pulp which already has some of its own sweetness.They even make a good snack right out of the pod.Just don't eat a lot, they still contain carbohydrates and can act as a laxative.
See Also
Benefits of Tamarind
Mesquite Meal Benefits
Agua de Tamarindo- Using Tamarind Pods
Agua de Tamarindo is a popular drink in Mexico made from tamarind pods.It is considered an "agua fresca" or "fresh water" drink.Agua frescas are usually a mix of fruit, sugar, and water.These drinks are similar to lemonade.
The flavor of tamarind is sweet, tangy, and a little bit spicy.The flesh of the pods is used in many dishes including soft drinks, desserts, juices, and candy.Tamarind is also used frequently in Asian cuisine and imparts a sweet and sour tangy flavor to dishes such as pad thai.Tamarind is thought to be a diabetes-friendly food that may offer some diabetes-specific health benefits.
The puffy pods are usually large and brown.They are found in many markets, especially those that carry Mexican products.They can be found in the fruit section or with dried packaged or bulk foods.
The recipe below is a sugarless twist on the traditional recipe and you can use pods or prepared tamarind.Prepared tamarind is sold in blocks, as a paste, or in cans.Make sure there is no sugar or other flavorings added.Tamarind is made into Mexican tamarindo candy or paste which has added sugar, chili, and sometimes other spices.Make sure you are getting pure tamarind pulp which already has some of its own sweetness.They even make a good snack right out of the pod.Just don't eat a lot, they still contain carbohydrates and can act as a laxative.
See Also
Benefits of Tamarind
Mesquite Meal Benefits
Agua de Tamarindo- Using Tamarind Pods