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Velvet Digest

What can I substitute for tamarind water?

Author

Mia Phillips

Updated on June 05, 2026

A popular alternative is to use lime juice (or sometimes white wine or rice vinegar) mixed with an equal quantity of light brown sugar as a substitute for tamarind.

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Also, what is tamarind liquid?

Tamarind, also known as Kok mak Kham, sbar or tamarindo, is commonly used in a concentrated form in Indian, Thai, Mexican and Mediterranean cuisine. Try using our liquid tamarind paste concentrate in chutneys, curries, soups, sauces or poultry, fish, lentil and rice dishes.

Furthermore, what tamarind tastes like? Tamarind is the fruit pod of a tree native to Asia and northern Africa, according to "The New Food Lover's Companion," which describes tamarind's "sour-sweet" flavor as being akin to lemons, apricots and dates.

Then, can I use tamarind paste instead of tamarind water?

Instead, recipes call for tamarind water, cooking tamarind, tamarind paste, or tamarind concentrate. Tamarind paste, concentrate and water are very similar - they are just different dilutions of dried and soaked tamarind pulp.

Where is Tamarind in grocery store?

Usually, tamarind paste is in the international aisles of major grocery stores. It might be placed on the shelves with Latin, Thai or Indian food products. It's worth checking the produce area for tamarind pods, too.

Related Question Answers

Where can I find tamarind fruit?

Like tamarind concentrate, you can also find tamarind paste in a jar. But, you'll get the best flavor by making it yourself. You should be able to find the blocks of pressed tamarind in well-stocked grocery stores and international markets, especially Indian, Latin, or Southeast Asian markets.

How do you eat tamarind?

Method 1 Eating Raw Tamarind
  1. Crack open the tamarind pod. Tamarind is often sold in whole pods, which can either be fresh or dried.
  2. Pull away the strings that hold the flesh in place.
  3. Break off a piece of the pulp with your fingers and eat around the seeds.

Can you boil tamarind?

Remove and discard the hard outer pods of the dried tamarind. Combine the dried tamarind or the prepared pulp with the water and bring to a boil. Cook over medium heat about 30 minutes, or until the flesh is very soft, occasionally stirring and mashing with a whisk to break up the flesh and separate the seeds.

Is Tamarind a fruit?

Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) is a leguminous tree (family Fabaceae) bearing edible fruit that is indigenous to tropical Africa. The genus Tamarindus is monotypic, meaning that it contains only this species. The tamarind tree produces pod-like fruit that contains a brown, edible pulp used in cuisines around the world.

How do you soak tamarind?

Remove the seeds and use the meat to make tamarind water or juice To get about a cup of usable tamarind (enough for a dish serving four people), start with about 4 1/2 ounces of the dried pods, remove the fruit from the pods (you should have about 3 ounces), and soak it for about 20 minutes in about 1 cup of warm water

What is tamarind sauce made of?

Tamarind paste is made from a sour, dark, sticky fruit that grows in a pod on a tamarind tree. While some cuisines use tamarind paste to make desserts and even candy, in Thai cooking it is used mostly in savory dishes. Classic pad Thai is made with tamarind, as are some Thai curries and seafood dishes.

Can you make tamarind water from tamarind paste?

Much of the flavor comes from the paste. Add the tamarind paste to your blender. Then add the soaking water and the brown sugar and blend for 1 minute. Strain the blended liquid into a 1/2 gallon pitcher and add 3 cups of water and give it a good stir.

How do you remove tamarind skin?

Method
  1. Soak the tamarind in water. Wait for it to turn soft and then extract its pulp.
  2. In a bowl, mix honey and lemon juice with the tamarind pulp.
  3. Apply the mask on your face and neck and leave it to dry.
  4. Wash with cold water.

How long does tamarind puree last?

Making tamarind paste is incredibly easy and takes only 15 minutes of hands-on time. It will keep for up 3-4 weeks in the fridge and can be frozen in ice cube trays or plastic freezer bags for 3-4 months.

Can I use lemon instead of tamarind?

Lemon or lime juice is another substitute for tamarind concentrate. Although neither gives you the same complexity of flavor, they can provide the sweet and sour notes that your dish needs. Just mix the juice with an equal amount of light brown sugar.

Do you refrigerate tamarind concentrate?

It should last up to its use by date (2 years in my case), provided it doesn't grow mould. I am a south Indian who use tamarind in my daily cooking. As previously answered a block of tamarind can be stored wrapped at room temperature. but anything processed like a paste or juice should be refrigerated after opening.

Is there a difference between tamarind paste and concentrate?

Tamarind paste is often found in Asian cooking and Nigella uses it to give a sweet/tart flavour to a dish. Normally tamarind paste and tamarind concentrate are the same product. They come in jars and are thick and smooth but spoonable.

Is wet tamarind the same as tamarind paste?

To make tamarind paste / juice / water, allow 1 tbsp wet tamarind / tamarind block to soften in a few tablespoons of hot water. Note that this jarred tamarind paste is Not the same thing as jarred tamarindconcentrate”.

What is Pad Thai sauce made of?

Traditional pad thai sauce includes fish sauce, vinegar, sugar and tamarind paste.

How do you make tamarind from scratch?

DIRECTIONS
  1. In a teakettle bring water to a boil.
  2. Place the tamarind pulp in a heatproof mixing bowl or baking dish.
  3. Add lime juice if using it.
  4. Pour boiling water over the tamarind.
  5. Stir in sugar and/or honey.
  6. Cover and allow to stand several hours or overnight.

Is tamarind the same as turmeric?

Tamarind and turmeric have little in common aside from geography — they show up in cuisine from the same parts of the world. Tamarind is the fruit of a leguminous tree. Turmeric is a rhizome related to ginger and which looks exactly like ginger but with a yellow tint.

Is Tamarind bad for health?

However, tamarind is pretty high in calories compared to many other fruit, which may be a problem for people who are trying to control calorie intake. It also contains polyphenols, which are naturally occurring plant compounds that have health benefits. Many of them act as antioxidants in the body (1).

Why is tamarind sour?

Tamarind is sour when the fruit is young once it get ripened it acquires a sweet and sour taste and the sourness is because of the high amount of tartaric acid present in it which is a very rich anti-oxidant agent.

Does tamarind taste good?

Sweet but tart, and sometimes very sour, tamarind is potent. A little goes a long way. While tamarind pulp can be eaten alone, it is most often mixed with sugar and/or diluted to mellow the strong flavor. Tamarind makes a great base for chutneys, sauces, marinades and stews.