Tamarind has been one of those ingredients I’ve neglected for quite some time. It’s a staple in our Shrimp Pad Thai recipe, but how else can you use it? You don’t need anything else this summer because this tamarind iced tea will take care of you.
WHAT IS TAMARIND?
The edible fruit of the tamarind tree resembles a pod. These pods resemble pea pods in size and color, but they are a dark brown that evokes the earth. The pulp inside is very sour and goes well in sweet and savory applications; it is commonly used in Mexican, Thai, Ghanaian, Caribbean, and Indian cooking.
You can make your tamarind paste using fresh tamarind pods, but for ease, we call for tamarind concentrate. It’s commonly sold in Asian supermarkets and other similar establishments.
It may be not easy to locate fresh tamarind pods, but buying a jar of tamarind concentrate will allow you to quickly prepare a large quantity of iced tea or other tamarind-flavored beverage.
The Perfect Summer Drink
Tamarind was quickly recognized as a key ingredient in many cultures’ most beloved summer beverages, which was true across the board.
The tangy and tart sweetness is nearly ideal when combined with sugar and water.
A combination of iced tea and lemon makes for a refreshing drink during the hot summer months, and that’s how we made ours.
It goes well with a glass, but it shines when paired with a heaping helping of noodles or grilled pork.
INGREDIENTS:
- 6 cups of water (1400 ml)
- 4 black tea bags
- 2 cups of ice
- 1 lemon (sliced into thin rounds)
- 1/2 cup of tamarind concentrate or tamarind paste
- 1/4-1/2 cup of simple syrup (can substitute honey or agave)
INSTRUCTIONS:
- A pot of water (6 cups) should be brought to a rolling boil. Do not reheat, and add the tea bags to a pot with the water already at a rolling boil. The recommended steeping time is 20 minutes. If you need to prepare things in advance, you can let them sit for a longer period of time, but keep in mind that doing so may cause a slight bitterness and that it is best to remove the tea bags. Put the tea in the fridge to cool down.
- Pour the brewed tea, 2 cups of ice, the lemon slices, the tamarind concentrate, and the sugar or sweetener of your choice into the pitcher. We recommend starting with a quarter cup but adjusting the amount based on how sweet you like things.
- Use a long wooden spoon to stir the mixture, and then serve!