tamerind

[snorbitz]

can anyone tell me exactly what tamerind is and where i might purchase it. thanks

[Clanad]

A tree by the same name that produces large seed pods that are used for flavoring for, mainly Asian or Oriental dishes. Can be quite sweet or very sour, depending on the variety. I use it in Pad Thai which wouldn't be very good without it...

[BBWCHATT]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamarind

The fruit pulp is edible and popular. It is used as a spice in both Asian and Latin American cuisines, and is also an important ingredient in Worcestershire sauce, HP sauce and the Jamaican-produced Pickapeppa sauce. The hard green pulp of a young fruit is very tart and acidic and is most often used as a component of savory dishes. The ripened fruit is sweeter, yet still distinctively sour, and can be used in desserts and sweetened drinks, or as a snack. In Thailand, there is a carefully cultivated sweet variety with little to no tartness grown specifically to be eaten as a fresh fruit.