Sweet Thai Tamarind varieties are highly sought after, commanding a high price at Asian markets. There is even an annual Sweet Tamarind Festival in Northeastern Thailand to compare varietals, share recipes, and sell the prized crop etc.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Latin name - Tamarindus indica 

Tamarind trees are stately, leguminous trees that take their time growing into their role as an overstory for your beloved garden or food forest. Small, delicate leaves provide dappled light that’s ideal for understory plants.

The deeply-grooved bark lends to an old-growth appearance. These striations provide anchor points for epiphytes, and tamarind trees are commonly adorned with Tillandsia airplants.

Tamarind is native to tropical Africa, where the fruits are consumed in a full spectrum of formats, from young and green to fully brown and mature. The tart leaves and flowers are also edible, traditionally eaten in salads or dipped in chili spice. Eaten green, the fruits are very tart, slightly juicy and akin to green mango. Eaten mature, the fruits range from sweet to tart (depending on variety). The exterior of mature fruits are brown and paper-y. This outer shell can be crunched and removed from the sticky flesh encased within. The brown mature flesh is sticky and surrounds a row of seeds. Tamarind seeds abound and have an exceptionally long shelf life.

Use the fruits’ paste for salsas, chutneys, sauces, cocktails, and candies. Dip young green fruits in chili sauce or a mix of salt and sugar.

Tamarind fruits can be harvested (tediously) by hand or the tree can be thrashed over a blanket or tarp to collect falling fruits. Fruits that mature in dry conditions are ideal. Mature fruits stored in dry conditions have a shelf life of months!

Tamarind trees can be propagated by seed, graft, or air layer. Our Sweet Tamarind Trees are grafted which guarantees a yield of deeply sweet fruits. Our stock of tart tamarind trees are grown from seed, making for a sturdy root system and trunk. 

Plant your tamarind tree in full sun for best fruit yield. Tamarinds are resistant to branch breaking and are therefore ideal as central specimen trees or as mottled shade for an entire garden.

When choosing a location, consider tamarind trees’ aversion to wet feet and salty conditions. Their adaptation to Florida’s limestone rich soil makes for a low-maintenance option.

________________________________________________________________

Size - 50’ Tall x 40’ Wide

Noteable Characteristics - Large and wind-resistant

Sunlight requirements - Full Sun

Cold hardy temp - 26 F for established trees; Young trees susceptible to frost damage

Harvest Season - February to May (often fruits out of season)