Karanataka is a Large South Indian State which is home to a large number of Enormous and fascinating Tamarind ( English) Trees, Imli ( Hindi), Tamarindus indica.
The English and Botanical name Tamarind has it’s origins in Arabic and literally translates to “Dates of Hind” ( tamar-e-hind) ( India is referred to as Hind in the Arab World) .
Despite the certification by Botanists, it is interesting to note that the Tamarind Tree actually has its origins in the African Continent and not the Indian subcontinent.
The following picture was taken outside the Sriranganathaswamy temple, in the historical capital city of Tipu Sultan, Srirangapatnam.
It is interesting to learn that the Tamarindus indica belongs to the Pea family Fabaceae. ( see the fruits and see the resemblance)
All the trees near Bangalore were laden with the leguminous fruits which form an integral part of South Indian cuisine.
The Tamarind trees are very large and grow to over 30 metres or 100 feet in this region. The following picture is of a tree which towers over a Siva Cave temple on the Chandi Hills and seems to touch the clouds above.
The Bean Like Brown fruits called Tamarind in English or Imli in Hindi are a rich source of Amino acids, Vitamin C and Tartaric Acid and form the base of many curries and chutneys in Indian cuisine.
This fruit laden tree was spotted on the banks of the Kaveri River, the waters of which are the basis of many controversies in recent times.
The Fruits are extremely sour and are used to make many delicious sweet and sour candies as well.
The entire Imli Tree; fruits, seeds , leaves and bark have innumerable Medical applications which I am not attempting to enlist.
Next time you are in this region do look up and you could be Enchanted by the small and pretty Pink & White flowers as well.
what a delightful coincidence, I just cook with tamarind today; it’s interesting to see what it looks like on the tree.
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am delighted to read your comment, thank you. am sure the meal is delicious as are the fruits.
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Tamarind is the best ingredient! Its sour flavour brings out the best taste in fish soup.
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it is also laden with many medicinal benefits. thank you.
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Thank you so much dear friend mukul chand for useful and beautiful post.
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thank you for your sweet words.
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Please follow my blog, thank you and good luck.
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Great photos of tamarind. What such a well written post
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Thank you for your compliments
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My favorite coastal fruits😀
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Thank you. Coastal?? Not in this part of the world.
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Mukul, thank you for sharing these images, it’s very interesting what the tree looks like. I love Tamarinds especially as chutney. Actually I have a box of Tamarinds in my refrigerator.
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Oh wow, that is interesting. Do not consume too much it will affect your throat.Thank you for your comments and visit.
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Thank you for sharing this most enlightening information. I have really been missing out. I think I will be using tamarind now. I had heard of it, but have never actually used it. You really do teach very well. I love this.
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Thank you for the compliments and kind comments.
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Reblogged this on lenalimhamn's Blog and commented:
Canon we bud tamarind in Sweden? May be…?
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Am sure you can buy Tamarind in Sweden.i understand it goes well with Fish & Meat. However I doubt the trees can withstand the cold winters. thank you for re-blogging the post.
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great post!
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thank you
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Emili so well described. Most of us use it but this fascinating account gave it a new meaning.
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thank you for the appreciation.
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Very interesting and enlightening 🙂
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thank you
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my childhood school had a row of old tamarind trees, they are very beautiful as trees! so full of leaves!
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leaves and tasty fruits.
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leaves are tasty but the fruits are tasty only after they are ripe, very ripe. 🙂
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true
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Thank you for posting this. Yes, I do confuse them with peas while they are young and green dangling on the bushy trees. 🙂 Its amazing how nature works subtly in the best interest for all of us.
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well said, though we do not eat the seeds like in peas.
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yes. They do look like from the same family. 🙂
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yes the legumes are similar
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In my primary years at school (north queensland – Australia) we had three huge trees in the playground. Ahh, the memories of knocking tamarinds down with anything we could throw at them and gnawing on them all day, trying not to get caught by the teachers. Tamarind dipped in ice-cream – that was a favourite. Mind you, this was forty odd years ago!
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How interesting, tamarind and Ice cream, must try it. By your comments it seems we are in a similar age group. Thank you for sharing your Tamarind tales.
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This post combines your remarkable range of knowledge and interests: botany, photography, history, culture, language and, most importantly, curiosity. Thank you. A world of things I didn’t know.
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Thank you for the extensive compliments. Am honoured.
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thank you
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Wonderful writing on such a well used condiment. Thank you for stopping by and visiting my blog today. Warmest wishes from New Zealand.
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Thank you for the visit and warm wishes. Nice to make a friend in NZ, greetings to you as well.
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Warm wishes to you too. I look forward to reading more on your blog as I go along. 🙂
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thank you, sweet of you to say so.
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Interesting article and pictures. I’ve enjoyed tamarind but never known what they look like. They remind me of indju/mesquite trees.
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thank you for your comments. yes the leaves do look like the genus “Acacia”.
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Great information and lovely photos!
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thank you
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tks again.
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thank you
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I love dates! Thanks for the great read. This was a very informative article.
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tahnk you, keep enjoying the dates, a fruit rich in pottasium
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