Tamarind, named as Indian date, tamarind and temr-i turkey, is a plant of African origin. But it also grows in countries such as Egypt and India. The ripe fruits of the tamarind tree are also used as a spice. The fruits of the plant are pulpy and fleshy. The taste of tamarind is both sour and sweet. Tamarind, a member of the legume family, is a tree species with a length of 20-25 cm. It grows in the Mediterranean and Southeast Anatolian lands in Turkey. There are more than one way of consumption. Tamarind, which can be added to pickles, meals, salads and soups, is sprinkled with granulated sugar and consumed raw. In addition to being used in making sherbet and jam, it is also used in the production of liquor.
How to consume tamarind?
Tamarind, which is among the useful plants, is a type of fruit that grows on trees. Its form on the tree is very similar to carob. The flowers appear as reddish and yellow clusters at the ends of tree branches. The fruits of this plant, which is a member of the legumes family, are both dried and jam is made. Since it has a sour taste, it is recommended to sprinkle granulated sugar in the fruit when it is consumed fresh. The leaves are used in two ways. It is used as bait as well as being boiled and drunk. The boiled water of tamarind is also known as a dewormer. It is also consumed a lot because of its internal softening feature.
After the tamarind fruit ripens, you can consume the fleshy part such as dates. Tamarind can be consumed by adding it to sherbet and meals. It has a spice feature when it is added to the food. It also gives color when put in salads and sauces. Sherbet making was very common in Ottoman palaces. Tamarind sherbet is a delicacy from the Ottoman era. The most consumed form of tamarind is seen as herbal tea or sherbet.
How much tamarind should be consumed?
Tamarind plant has laxative properties. If consumed in excess, it causes diarrhea. You can take dates as a basis for adjusting the amount of consumption. When tamarind is consumed in excess, it damages the kidneys. Because it is rich in nutritional values, the kidneys are overloaded with minerals. It is recommended to consume a maximum of 2 cups of tamarind tea and tamarind syrup per day.
How many days should tamarind tea be drunk?
Tea is as useful as tamarind sherbet. You can consume tamarind tea twice a day in the morning and evening. The number of days the tea will be drunk depends on the person’s reason for using it. You can consult a specialist for the most accurate information about how many days to drink. If the consumption of tea is excessive, the components in tamarind cause discomfort in the body. It damages internal organs such as the liver.
How to make tamarind sherbet?
Tamarind sherbet is among the indispensable tastes of Ottoman tables thanks to its benefits and cooling properties. It is one of the delicacies consumed since the Ottoman period. It has become the choice of those who want to cool off in the summer season. Ingredients for tamarind syrup:
- 1 head ginger
- 1 stick of cinnamon
- 100 gr. tamarind
- 1 sprig of sage
- 5 glasses of water
- 1 pinch of linden
- 2 cloves
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- Half a glass of granulated sugar
Preparation of the syrup:
- First, the tamarind shells are cleaned and placed in a saucepan.
- Add 1 liter of water to the tamarinds in the pot and leave it overnight.
- The next day, honey, sage, granulated sugar, ginger, cinnamon sticks, cloves and linden are put into the pot and left to boil.
- After boiling for 1 hour, the syrup is removed from the stove and left to cool.
- When the syrup cools down and the pulp settles to the bottom, it is filtered.
- After straining, it is kept in the refrigerator for 4 hours and then it can be consumed.
What are the benefits of tamarind sherbet?
Tamarind sherbet is very important for body health. The benefits of tamarind sherbet are as follows:
- In summer, it quenches thirst and refreshes.
- It reduces sore throat.
- It cuts the cough.
- It removes harmful components called “free radicals” that cause cancer in the body.
- Balances blood sugar.
- It prevents the fat in the liver.
- Thanks to the rich vitamins it contains, it increases the resistance of the body.
- It has an immune-boosting effect,
- It accelerates metabolism due to its antioxidant properties.
- It allows the person to expel the edema in the body by urination.
- If taken after meals, it relieves indigestion.
- It balances the acids in the stomach and is good for heartburn.
- Since it has laxative properties, it also solves problems such as constipation and inflammation in the intestines.
What are the harms of tamarind?
Tamarind does not cause any side effects if consumed in moderation. However, if the consumption amount is exceeded, it causes the destruction of some internal organs in the body, including the lungs and liver. According to experts, tamarind can lead to death if consumed unconsciously. Tamarind harms:
- Excess consumption can cause diarrhea.
- It can cause an increase in toxins and allergic reactions in the body.
- It can cause major damage to internal organs.
- Skin irritation and itching may occur.