Tamarindo (drink)

Tamarindo
TypeAgua fresca
Country of origin Mexico
ColourReddish brown
FlavourSour-sweet
IngredientsTamarind, water and sugar

Tamarindo, also commonly known as agua de tamarindo, is a non-alcoholic beverage made 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.[1] The tamarind plant produces fruit pods containing pulp and seeds.[2] Tamarind is a versatile ingredient that is used for a variety of commercial, culinary and medicinal purposes with the pulp being the most commonly used part of the tamarind plant, 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.[3][1] Tamarind pulp offers a flavour that ranges from sour to sweet, making tamarindo a sour-sweet beverage (dependent on the amount of sugar added, as well as on the tamarind cultivar used) recognised as a popular flavour of aguas frescas, which is traditionally consumed in Latin America.[4] 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.[5][4]

  1. ^ a b Lim, T. K. (2011-11-06), "Tamarindus indica", Edible Medicinal and Non-Medicinal Plants, Springer Netherlands, pp. 879–905, doi:10.1007/978-94-007-1764-0_95, ISBN 978-94-007-1763-3
  2. ^ Paull, R. E.; Duarte, O. (2012), "Other African fruit: tamarind, marula and ackee", Tropical fruits, Volume 2, CABI, pp. 223–254, doi:10.1079/9781845937898.0223, ISBN 9781845937898
  3. ^ Salloum, Habeeb (January–February 2014). "Tamarind: a natural laxative & food enhancer par excellence". Countryside & Small Stock Journal. 98: 70+.
  4. ^ a b "NESTLE USA LAUNCHES NEW NESTLE AGUAS FRESCAS READY TO DRINK BEVERAGES". Nestle USA. June 2011.
  5. ^ Jarritos. "Diego Luna and Jarritos Partner to Share the Journey of Immigrants in the United States" (Press release). PR Newswire.