Sampalok or tamarind facts

Sampalok (tamarind)

Sampalok is a Tagalog term for tamarind with a scientific name of Tamarindus Indica. It came from the kingdom of plantar and belongs to the family of fabaceae. Tamarind trcee is believed to have only species so it is considered as extra ordinary fruit. The tree is common in tropical areas like Philippines. It is easy to cultivate and doesn't need extra care. Tamarind plant can easily survive in sunny weather and dry soil. Planting tamarind is easy, just plant a matured seed in a dry soil and it will show its spring after a week or two.

Tree- can grow up to 40 feet tall. It leaves spread widely like umbrella. I remember when I was a kid, we an old sampalok tree in our farm where I used to play. Ripened tamarind fruits fall on the ground and we patiently pick them one by one and spread a pinch of salt on it and eat it. Those were the days...Tamarind tree indeed was one of those things which remind me my childhood.

 Leaves-when boiled in water is considered as cough relief as well as cure to some illnesses like malaria, intestinal problem, stomach discomfort and head ache. The tamarind leaves are boiled in water and cooled down to make an after birth tonic for mothers who just recently gave birth. It is done on the first after birth bathe.

 Fruit- the tamarind fruit is color brown outside ripe or raw, green inside when raw and dark brown inside when ripened. It has seeds that colored green and brown. Seeds are not advisable to eat. The fruit is one of the main ingredients in a Filipino stew "sinigang" it's either fish sinigang, shrimp sinigang or pork sinigang that usually added with vegetables. The ripened fruit when cooked with a sugar caramel is a very yummy fruit candy.

 Health Benefits- tamarind is high in ascorbic acid which is a good source of Vitamin C. It also contains calcium to help in maintaining bone health and healthy teeth. It also contains sugar than supplies energy to our body.