Sweet Tamarind Juice

Tamarind drink or as we call it in the Middle East “Tamr-hindi ” is a popular drink prepared from the tamarind wet pulp blocks (comes from a leguminous tree with edible fruit)with water and sugar.

Sweet tamarind juice is usually sold by street vendors in Syria especially during Ramadan, this seller is holding a huge, probably copper, pot on his back with lots of cups arranged around his waist. This man also carry two copper discs in his hand, clanging them together to make a noise announcing that he is in the neighborhood, something like the ice cream truck.

Sweet tamarind is especially popular during the holy month of Ramadan. This sweet drink makes can refresh you after a long summer day.  This drink is not only sold in the Middle East but it is a very popular drink in Mexico called Agua de Tamarindo!

Tamarind is an excellent source of vitamin B, C, potassium, magnesium, iron, thiamine, phosphorus, riboflavin, and fiber. Tamarind is believed to lower the risk of diabetes, aids weight loss, boosts digestion and also prevents chronic diseases.

Consuming tamarind in moderation is essential as any other thing in life. Too much can lead to diarrhea, also it works as a blood thinner so you need to be careful if you already take blood thinner medications.

Ingredients

1 packet 350g tamarind .

2 liter of cold water.

Sugar to your preference.

Instructions

In a deep pot or glass bowl, cut up tamarind paste to relatively small pieces.

Pour in cold water, cover for 8 hours, try to stir a couple of times in between.

Strain with a fine fine mesh sieve.

Add sugar to your liking and mix in a blender. Pour in a cupswith some ice.

Another option for serving is serving it accompanied by sugar and more cold water so everyone can adjust his/her own cup

Lara khouli