Right beside the Cooking School stands a magnificent tamarind tree. Its gnarled trunk and sprawling branches hint at a long-standing presence; it’s likely around 50 years old. Its leaves, a vibrant shade of green, rustle gently in the breeze, creating a soothing melody.
Each year, when the tamarind season arrives, this tree becomes a treasure trove. It bears an abundant crop of long, brown pods filled with the tangy, sweet-and-sour fruit. But we’re not the only ones eyeing this harvest. A tribe of dusky leaf monkeys lives nearby, and a friendly yet competitive contest ensues between us.
The monkeys are incredibly agile. They swing from branch to branch with ease, quickly plucking the tamarind pods. Their mischievous eyes seem to twinkle as they outsmart us almost every time. By the time we manage to get to the tree, they’ve already claimed the best of the harvest. Still, what remains is enough for us to gather and use in our cooking.
The Tamarindus indica, commonly known as tamarind, has an interesting origin. Despite its scientific name suggesting an Indian origin, it actually hails from Africa. Over the centuries, it has travelled far and wide across the tropical regions of the world.
It has not only become a staple in local cuisines but has also woven itself into the culinary arts. Its subtle blend of sweetness, tangy sourness and savoury umami gives food depth and body. Mixed in a drink, it’s both thirst-quenching and refreshing.
It would be fair to say that without tamarind Malaysian ( Nyonya especially) cooking wouldn’t be flavorful or famous. It is also heavily used in Malay cuisine like preparing such dishes as asam pedas, fish sauces, sambals and soups.
There’s a sad legend in Barbados about a slave who was wrongly hanged from a tamarind tree, which featured in a small but pivotal role in the film Tamarind Seed, starring Julie Andrews and Omar Shariff ( remember him?).
There’s a sad legend in Barbados about a slave who was wrongly hanged from a tamarind tree, which featured in a small but pivotal role in the film Tamarind Seed, starring Julie Andrews and Omar Shariff ( remember him?).
In many parts of Asia, it’s an important shade tree and a meeting place. In others, the tree is host to ghosts and spirits at night.
