Tamarind (Sampalok)


Tamarind or sampalok as we call it in the Philippines is a versatile fruit. We can make it into candy or jam, we can use it in cooking as a souring agent for the ever popular “sinigang” or you can eat it as it is ripe or raw. Also the leaves were used too in cooking fish we call “pinangat”. My mother used to line the clay pot with young leaves of the tamarind and place the fish on top. She then just add a little bit of water and salt and let it simmer till the fish is done. It’s a simple way of cooking fish but its delicious and less fat.
Tamarind fruit is green when young then turns brown when ripe. We enjoy eating ripe tamarinds. There are big seeds inside which needs to be discarded.
Rainy season is when the tamarind starts flowering and its prolific you will have tons of fruits during the summer time.
The tree can grow 15 to 20 feet tall at least and it’s a good shade tree too.

Similar Posts

  • Star Fruit/ Balimbing

    Star Fruit or Carambola,(I call it Balimbing), is becoming increasingly popular among the population especially here in Hawaii. A growing number of people find it not only refreshing to eat but also have healthy benefits like anti-oxidants and Vitamin C. It is mostly used as garnish for drinks because of the star shape of the…

  • Lime/Dayap

    Lime is one of my favorite citrus fruit. I use it especially in making Mexican salsa. I like the fresh flavor of the juice combine with tomatoes, onion, jalapeno pepper and the fresh herb cilantro. After making the salsa I can make my favorite dip the guacamole. Avocados are in season now so it is…

  • |

    Jackfruit

    We call the jackfruit “langka” in the Philippines.  I consider it as the biggest fruit ever.  When I was young, we  nicknamed it “hog” because sometimes it grows as big as a pig.   I remember my grandma’s jackfruit tree in the farm and the fruit almost touches the ground.  I also remember eating the fruits…

  • Soursop/Guyabano

    Soursop or guyabano as we call it in the Philippines is gaining popularity as a health fruit and a natural medicine against cancer.  Whether it is true or not, soursop or guyabano is an interesting fruit to eat.  The skin looks like it would hurt you when you touch it but the spikes you see…

  • Star Fruit

    Starfruit also known as carambola is native to the Philippines, and the botanical name is “Averrhoa carambola. We call it “Balimbing” which is an ambiguation from the botanical name of another fruit we call “kamias” or Averrhoa bilimbi which is sour and used as a souring agent for soups and other dishes. The fruit has…