It is impossible that a Mexican during his childhood has not tried a candy made with tamarind, in automatic that transports you to the past, where playing and enjoying the candy was the main concern. Among the main variations of tamarind are: «Tarugos», «Tamarindos de Acapulco» and «Ollitas de Tamarindo».
It could be thought that the tamarind is Mexican, but it is not, this fruit comes from Asia and Africa, here was born the flavor that made the whole American continent fall in love. The states where the tamarind arrived were Guerrero, Oaxaca, Michoacan and Chiapas, this thanks to the Spanish who brought it during colonization.
Why are «ollitas de tamarindo» so beloved in Mexico?
Besides the fact that tamarind is used as a special fruit, it also has medicinal applications. In Mexico they prepare sweets, fresh waters, even handmade beer based on this fruit that provides carbohydrates, vegetable protein and composed of amino acids. Rich in soluble fiber, minerals such as magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron, sulfur and phosphorus, organic acids such as tartaric, ascorbic, malic and vitamins A, B3 and C. Elderly people use it as a laxative and depurative, provides energy, reduces fever, fights gingivitis, cough, digestive problems, to mention a few.
«They are a candy with a lot of tradition, in my childhood around the 70’s, it was very common for children to eat tamarind candy, where the funny thing is that it came in the clay pot, which coincidentally was very well used by girls to play with their dolls as an accessory. No matter how much enchilado you had, its flavor made you keep eating it no matter how much it stung you», said Rosalinda Aguilar Gallardo, Mexican housewife and consumer of this product.
Its application in gastronomy is interesting since a great variety of candies or sauces can be prepared, made from the pulp of this fruit. As for the sweets that are made are sweetened pulp balls, covered apples or in simpler versions such as spoons with tamarind, which are sealed so that the plastic is removed and can be eaten easily.
On the other hand, they are a clear example of what a clay pot means in Mexican cuisine, pots are containers originally made of ceramic or orange clay, it is where many delicious dishes can be prepared. Currently, this candy is placed in a small pot but made of plastic, covered with cellophane or plastic, held by a rubber band, to make it more realistic. Ingredients such as salt, piquin chili and lemon are needed to prepare and eat them.
«The tamarind pots were modernized, now they come in transparent plastic containers or there is a brand that made a plastic container assimilating the clay pot, it is mostly something nostalgic, times change and the brand just adapted, now you can find them in the chain stores and they cost between 10 to 15 pesos, its flavor also changed, but I still eat it because it reminds me of my childhood,» said Aguilar Gallardo.
To prepare it, the tamarind is washed and peeled, take a container with half of the water and place the tamarind here, and leave it on a low heat until it boils. The pulp is left to cool and the seeds are removed from the tamarind, mixing the other half with water, sugar and chili powder to taste. Add the pulp, putting everything on a low heat until the consistency is uniform. When it cools down, fill the jar up to the top, covering it with cellophane or a small lid, holding it with bands or strips. And just like this, other wonders can be made using this fruit that was a gift to Mexico.
By: Carlos Ramirez and Vanessa Sam.
Cafe Words 