Tamarind Juice

Name: Tamarind Juice
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Comorian
Ingredients: 200g tamarind pods, shelled; 1 liter cold water; 1/2 cup sugar (adjust to taste); Pinch of salt; Ice for serving

Jus de Tamarin (ZHOO duh tah-mah-REHN)

Comorian Tamarind Drink

⏱ Prep Time 15 min

📈 Difficulty Easy

👥 Servings

A refreshing sweet-sour drink made from tamarind pulp dissolved in cold water and sweetened with sugar. This tangy beverage is the quintessential thirst quencher of the tropical Comoros.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 0.5g

Carbs 20.0g

Dietary

vegetarian vegan dairy-free gluten-free nut-free

Equipment Needed

bowl strainer pitcher

Presentation Guide

Vessel: tall glass

Garnishes: lime slice

Ingredients

200g tamarind pods, shelled
1 liter cold water
1/2 cup sugar (adjust to taste)
Pinch of salt
Ice for serving

Instructions

1
Soak tamarind pods in 2 cups of warm water for 30 minutes.
2
Squeeze and mash the pulp with your hands to separate it from the seeds and fibers.
3
Strain through a fine mesh strainer, pressing to extract all the liquid.
4
Add remaining cold water and sugar. Stir until sugar dissolves completely.
5
Add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavor.
6
Serve over ice in tall glasses.

💡

Did You Know?

Tamarind trees are so valued in the Comoros that they are often used as property boundary markers. The tree that provides both shade and drink ingredients is considered too useful to ever cut down.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

bowl
strainer
pitcher

Garnishing

lime slice

The Story Behind Tamarind Juice

Tamarind has grown wild across the Comoros for centuries, and islanders have long prepared this refreshing drink from its tart pods. The drink predates colonial influence and represents purely local tradition.

Tamarind juice is served at nearly every social occasion, from casual visits to formal ceremonies. Vendors sell it in plastic bags tied with straws in markets throughout Moroni and other towns.

The drink also has a place in Comorian traditional medicine, where it is believed to aid digestion and cool the body during the hot, humid months.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed any time, especially hot afternoons 📜 Origins: Pre-colonial era

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