ninasdream

Dried tamarind rinds- anyone know of this product??
OK, so I am online getting help with my computer, and I ask, so where are you located? (I know, I realized after asking the reps have sometimes been advised not to disclose/discuss) The Phillipines. Oh! I said, I met this family in Spain and they gave me this little package of dried tamarind rinds used to relieve thirst, and I have been looking for them ever since- do you know what they are called? He said "sapolo". (I still have the packet but my local Asaian stores haven't been able to help me
Does anyone know this product? Did I get the name right? Anyone know if you can get it in the States? Thanks for any clues!

MichaelBKK

What it's called depends on where you are. Tamarind is a common food throughout Asia.

It's hard to tell exactly what it is you're talking about. I've never heard of Tamarind 'rinds'. The edible part of the tree is the 'meat' around the seeds, which are encased like peas in a pod. Here in Thailand, the pods are usually sold whole, or you can buy 'bricks' of the sticky fruit in supermarkets for cooking (it's a key ingredient in Pad Thai).

I would be very surprised if you couldn't find a lot of things made out of tamarind in any Asian supermarket.

borgo

If it is a product from the Philippines it's called SAMPALOC. In Thai its called this MAKAM. I'm not sure if that is spelled correctly though.

MichaelBKK

Makam is just the word for tamarind. Tamarind paste is makam piak.

Kathie

I've purchased tamarind paste in the US. I think it was just labeled as "Tamarind Paste" in English - who knows what it said in Thai!

Guenmai

Call the Silom Supermarket in Thai Town in L.A. Hollywood, Blvd. They'd probably know. There's also the huge Thai food warehouse on Main Street in L.A. a few blocks over from China Town. Although I go there, I can't remember the name of the place, but Silom Market would know. Happy Travels!

Hanuman

The tamarind candy or sweet use to be quite popular when I was young. Usually made into tablets(or other form like strands) from tamarind rinds or pulp. They are or were very popular around S.E. Asia but they are quite hard to find nowadays, in Thailand that is. I'm afraid with globalization in Thailand it's easier to find a "Kit Kat' than it is to find a tamarind sweet.

W9London

As other posters mentioned, you can usually get a brick of tamarind pulp, or better yet, I found a small plastic jar of concentrated tamarind paste in an Indian grocery store. They're just pure tamarind paste that's a bit gooey and makes a fantastic drink with sugar and ice cold water (Make sure it's not seasoned/salted.) We also add a bit (about a teaspoonful) in tomato sauce to give that tangy taste. Also good for BBQ marinade.

MichaelBKK

Hanuman - you need to visit Myanmar. Tamarind candy is still hugely popular there - and it is quite good!

Hanuman

Michael,

I was there during the new year but did not look for it or notice it's availability. I guess it's due to the embargo that Myanmar have not been "influenced" by western candies!

ggreen

Mexican groceries here in NYC have dried tamarind candies. I bought them for my BF - he's crazy about anything tamarind!

Most Asian groceries here sell tamarind products, too. Try the emporium Kalustyans in Curry Hill (also www.kalustyans.com).

ninasdream

Thank you for the replies. I was looking for a specific product, specifically to carry with me when I travel.

Borgo - this "sampaloc" - how is it packaged? THe family that gave it to me had little plastic packets. Do you happen to know where I can find it? Perhaps an online store?

bmttokyo

Hi Nina,
Tamarind powder is what we use to make SINIGANG soup, a sour Filipino dish that could feature either pork, shrimp, fish, sometimes chicken or beef cooked with onions, tomatoes, string beans, okra, eggplant & crowned with either water spinach or sweet potato tops. Spinach or mustard greens can be substituted if the former are not available. It is the powdered version of the tamarind fruit minus the hard seeds on those multi pod fruit. They pack a real good punch & comes in both in packets or bouillions & is available in different brands at Asian Stores. While living in California, it has been available in every Asian store I have visited. In fact, I can evern get it here in Tokyo !!!
They sell it as SINIGANG BROTH or TAMARIND SOUP.

borgo

Hi Nina,
do you have a picture of it? What does it say on the package? We have a lot of tamarind products, so it will help to see it.

ninasdream

borgo- I do still have the package, but none of the writing is in English and it's very faded. I will find it and take a look. I trotted it around for years to local Asian markets & no one knew and I had no luck online. I'll post back - Thanks!