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.
