Preserved tamarind is one of the most beloved Lunar New Year treats. Its tangy and sweet flavor, combined with a chewy texture, makes it perfect to enjoy with a cup of hot tea. You can easily make preserved tamarind at home with these simple tips. Let’s explore!
1. Choose ripe tamarind
To make delicious preserved tamarind, it’s important to choose ripe tamarind fruit that hasn’t fully ripened yet. Pay attention to the following points:
- Select intact tamarind pods that are large and still have their stems and green leaves.
- The tamarind shell should have a gray-green color and feel slightly firm when gently squeezed. Choose tamarind with a smooth skin, without any holes or signs of mold.
- Choose fruits with a moderate thickness and consistent seed spacing.
Choose ripe tamarind for making preserved tamarind
2. Easily peel the tamarind skin
To make it easier to peel the tamarind skin, you can try one of the following methods:
- Blanch the tamarind in boiling water for 5-10 minutes, depending on the size of the fruit.
- Soak the tamarind in water at 80 degrees Celsius for about 1 hour.
- Soak the tamarind in diluted warm water with a pinch of salt for 1 hour (using lime juice will yield better results).
Afterwards, use a small knife to gently peel the tamarind skin. Be careful when handling the knife to avoid injury!
Easily peel the tamarind skin
3. Reduce the sourness of tamarind
Tamarind that is too sour can affect the taste of the preserved tamarind, as well as make the process of stewing the fruit more difficult. Therefore, you should employ methods to reduce the sourness:
- Soak the tamarind in diluted saltwater for 3 days to reduce the sourness, then soak the tamarind in cold water for 1 day to reduce the saltiness.
- Soak the tamarind in water with a bit of lime overnight, then rinse thoroughly with water before stewing.
Reduce the sourness of tamarind
4. Store the preserved tamarind
After completing the process of making preserved tamarind, you should wrap the tamarind tightly to ensure its freshness and longevity.
Store the preserved tamarind in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight.
The best way to store preserved tamarind is in the refrigerator. When stored in the refrigerator for a month, the preserved tamarind will retain its delightful tangy and sweet taste.
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Store the preserved tamarind
Additional reference:
With these handy tips, you can reduce the time it takes to make preserved tamarind and make the process much easier. When peeling the tamarind, use a small knife and be careful to avoid cutting yourself.
