Tamarind Juice (Refreshing Sweet-Sour Tamarind Drink)

Name: Tamarind Juice (Refreshing Sweet-Sour Tamarind Drink)
Cuisine: South Sudan
Ingredients: Tamarind pulp (from pods or block tamarind) — 200 g (7 oz); Warm water, divided — 1 L (4 cups); Sugar, or to taste — 80-100 g (6-8 tbsp); Ice, to serve

The Quirky Foodster Team

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Ingredients

Tamarind pulp (from pods or block tamarind) — 200 g (7 oz)
Warm water, divided — 1 L (4 cups)
Sugar, or to taste — 80-100 g (6-8 tbsp)
Ice, to serve

Method

Break the tamarind pulp into pieces and place in a bowl with 500 ml (2 cups) of the warm water.
Let soak for 30 minutes, mashing occasionally with a spoon to help it break down.
Press the mixture through a fine sieve into a jug, using the back of a spoon to extract as much pulp and liquid as possible; discard the fibres and seeds left behind.
Stir in the remaining 500 ml (2 cups) water and the sugar until fully dissolved.
Taste and adjust sweetness or dilute with a little more water if the juice is too concentrated.
Chill and serve over ice.

Introduction: Made from the tangy pulp of the tamarind pod, this cooling drink is a favourite way to beat the heat across South Sudan.

Cultural Background: Made from the tangy pulp of the tamarind pod, this cooling drink is a favourite way to beat the heat across South Sudan. Soaked, strained and sweetened, tamarind juice balances a distinctive sourness with sugar, and it's a common sight at family gatherings served alongside karkade.

Tips: Warm water speeds up softening the tamarind pulp and makes it easier to press through the sieve. Start with less sugar and add more to taste – tamarind's sourness varies noticeably between batches.

Variations: Add a pinch of ground ginger or a few mint leaves for extra freshness. Use less water for a concentrated syrup that can be diluted individually per glass. Already vegan as written.

Storage: Refrigerate in a covered jug for up to 5 days.

Reheating: Served cold; no reheating needed.

Nutrition: Approx. 90 kcal, 0 g protein, 0 g fat, 23 g carbohydrate, 1 g fibre per serving.

FAQs:

Q: Where can I find tamarind pulp?

A: Look for block tamarind or tamarind concentrate at international or African/Asian grocery stores.

Q: Can I make this less sweet?

A: Yes, reduce the sugar gradually to taste – the natural tartness of tamarind still comes through well with less sweetener.