Secret ingredient: Tamarind
In the realm of interior design, the concept of a “color of the year” trend is widely recognized. Similarly, the food industry also experiences its own set of trend predictions. A notable example is McCormick & Company, a leading manufacturer of seasonings and spices, which has declared tamarind as its Flavor of the Year for 2024. Since 2000 McCormick has annually published a report highlighting spices and seasonings that are gaining popularity, potentially shaping restaurant menus, cookbook recipes and possibly becoming as iconic as pumpkin spice. This year tamarind takes center stage.
Originating from trees found in Africa, Mexico, Asia, and India, tamarind is known for its pods that offer an acidic, tangy-sweet flavor. This versatile ingredient enhances a variety of foods, ranging from potato chips and ice cream to coffee.
Tamarind’s assets extend beyond its taste; it’s a nutritional powerhouse, rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium, thiamin and iron. It’s also a potent source of vitamin B and antioxidants. In Eastern practices and medicine, tamarind is revered for its healing properties.
The choice of tamarind as the flavor of the year aligns with three key food trends identified for 2024: the rise of tangy and sour foods, the modernization of regional dishes and the creation of “new-stalgic” foods — innovative twists on childhood favorites. Tamarind embodies these trends in a singular spice form.
Tamarind is available in various forms:
Unripe green fresh fruit: Extremely tart and sour, used unseeded in pickles and chutneys.
Brown-ripened fruit or pulp: Sold as whole pods or blocks, particularly in Asian stores. Ideal as a marinade for meats and seafood and a staple in diverse chutneys.
Paste, concentrate or extract: User-friendly versions of the ripe fruit, available commercially or homemade by soaking the pulp in hot water, removing fibers and seeds, and extracting a dark, smooth paste. This form is a versatile souring agent in curries and acts as a natural body coolant, with a long shelf life when refrigerated.
Powder: This dehydrated form adds a delightful zest to candies, beverages and snacks.
