In brief
- Tamarind juice is a refreshing drink made from tamarind pulp, tangy and sweet
- Origin: West Africa (Senegal, Mali), also widespread in the Caribbean
- Essential ingredients: tamarind paste, water, cane sugar, optional vanilla
- Served well chilled, alongside spicy meals or during hot weather
Origins and cultural history of tamarind juice
Tamarind juice is made from the pulp of the tamarind tree’s fruit, a tree native to Africa that spread widely from Antiquity onward to South Asia and then to the Caribbean through trade. In West Africa, the drink is especially popular in Senegal, where tamarind is called dakhar, and in Mali.
Prepared in large quantities, in a pitcher or a bottle, this tangy drink goes as well with spicy meals as with family gatherings, and is found, under similar names and proportions, in Caribbean and Senegalese cuisines as well as in Mauritanian preparations called dakhine.
What are the essential ingredients of tamarind juice
Making tamarind juice relies on few ingredients, easy to find in African and Caribbean grocery shops, including NKOSI.
- tamarind paste
- water
- cane sugar
- vanilla, optional
What to know about tamarind juice
Tamarind juice is a refreshing, tangy and sweet drink made from tamarind paste, water and cane sugar, with vanilla if you like. The drink is very present in Senegal, where tamarind is called dakhar, as well as in Mali and the Caribbean. Its distinctly tangy taste sits between lime and prune, and the amount of sugar is adjusted after straining, adding it gradually. It is served well chilled, in a pitcher or a bottle, with spicy meals or during hot weather.
Frequently asked questions about tamarind juice
What does tamarind taste like?
Tamarind has a distinctly tangy taste, somewhere between lime and prune, with a sweet base once the pulp is worked. This natural tanginess makes it the base of many refreshing drinks, sweet-and-sour sauces and marinades in both Africa and Asia.
How do you balance the sugar and tanginess of tamarind juice?
Since tamarind paste is naturally sour, the amount of sugar is adjusted to taste after straining, adding it gradually. For a less tangy drink, you can also dilute the resulting juice with a little more still or sparkling water when serving.
Where can you find the ingredients for tamarind juice in France?
NKOSI sells the tamarind paste, cane sugar and vanilla in this recipe on nkosiagro.com and ships them from the Paris area within 24 to 72 working hours, to mainland France (2 to 3 working days) and to ten European countries. The minimum order is 39 €: in France, delivery to a pickup point is then free, and home delivery is free from 69 €.
