Fun Food Trivia
TRIVIA QUESTION: A popular ingredient in Southeast Asian
cooking, I am the fruit of a tree that is native to Africa, and now grows in
Asia, the Caribbean, and Mexico. Valued for my acidic taste, I am the
secret ingredient in Worcestershire sauce. On the literary scene, my name
is featured in the title of the Canadian novel published to great acclaim in
1996. Finally, my juice is a popular home remedy for relieving an upset
stomach. What am I?
TRIVIA ANSWER: Tamarind. An evergreen tree that can grow up
to eighty feet, the tamarind tree produces brown
pods that contain a sweet and sour pulp. The soaked and strained pulp
is used in a number of Asian dishes, from Indian curries and chutneys to
Philippine soups. It is also found in cool
drinks. Like mango, some tamarinds are sweeter than others - the
sweeter version can be identified by a darker pulp. One cup of tamarind pulp has
approximately 285 calories and is an excellent source of potassium (Source: USDA
Nutrient Database).
As noted above, tamarind is the secret ingredient in
Worcestershire sauce (the other main ingredients are dark soy sauce, vinegar,
anchovies, and cloves). It is no accident that Worcestershire sauce was
"discovered" after a barrel of spice vinegar based on an Indian recipe
was allowed to ferment. And the book? Tamarind
Mem is the first novel by author Anita Bau Radami. The title is
a nickname given to the main character, reflecting her acid tongue.
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