{"product_id":"cooking-tamarind","title":"Cooking Tamarind","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTamarind (Tamarindus Indica)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"paragraph\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tamarind tree is native to Asia and Africa, but it also grows in tropical climates around the world. It produces pods of fruit that taste sweet and sour when ripe and even more sour when unripe or dried.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"paragraph\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIndia and Thailand produce the most tamarind, and it holds a prominent place in their cooking. But it's a staple ingredient in other Asian cuisines, too. You'll also find it in African and Middle Eastern cooking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe sticky pulp of the brown pods of tamarind has a sweet and sour f\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003elavor. It provides tang and acidity to entrees such as pad Thai and chutneys, desserts, beverages, syrups, sauces, and candy. It is a low-glycemic fruit with many beneficial micronutrients, making it a nutritious whole food ingredient.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eTamarind is a great source of B vitamins and vitamin C, and is a potassium-rich fruit. Raw tamarind pulp provides carbohydrates and fiber, and minimal amounts of fat and protein. \u003c\/span\u003eWe are so lucky to be able to grow this plant in New Zealand. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWhilst the perfect growing condition would be in the ground, they would make a happy indoor plants too if planted in a large pot, or train like a bonsai and receives a lot of love from you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe cooking tamarind plant will be more hardy when they are established around 4 years, in which they may be alright growing fully in the outdoor if you live somewhere warm like the Northland area or if you have access to the greenhouse, you could grow this plant  anywhere in NZ.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ePlant is 1-2 years. Self Fertile. A healthy plant will shed leaves during cold season and reshoot when its warmer.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePlant Care\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eSoil: Prefers deep loamy or sandy soils, well-drained, pH 6.0 to 7.5.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWatering: Drought-tolerant but performs best with regular watering during the growing season.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTemperature: Grows best between 25°C and 35°C.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLight: Full sun is essential.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFertilising: Apply a balanced NPK fertilizer like 10-10-10 annually at the start of the rainy season.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePruning: Prune to remove dead branches and manage the canopy for better light penetration.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulching: Use organic mulch to conserve soil moisture and add nutrients.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePest Control: Monitor for scale insects and mealybugs; manage with appropriate treatments.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFlowering and Fruiting: Produces yellow flowers with red stripes; fruit pods mature in late spring to early summer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePotting: Not ideal for potting due to potential size.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFeeding Regime: Moderate feeding with an NPK fertilizer, supplemented with organic matter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Exotica NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67589471437051,"sku":"CTAMARIND","price":59.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0709\/3826\/3803\/files\/iStock-182798882.jpg?v=1790553857","url":"https:\/\/farmfreshdirect.co.nz\/products\/cooking-tamarind","provider":"Farm Fresh Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}