Is tamarind sweet or sour?
May 13, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yu Yongchao
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, sweet tamarind is not sour tamarind. Although both sweet tamarind and sour tamarind belong to the Tamarindus genus of the legume family, they are not the same thing. Visually, sweet tamarind fruits are longer and thinner compared to sour tamarind, with a brownish skin that feels relatively soft. In contrast, sour tamarind fruits are shorter and thicker, with darker skin, mostly blackish brown in color, and a harder texture.
Generally speaking, sweet tamarind is not sour tamarind. A detailed analysis is as follows:
Sweet tamarind and sour tamarind both belong to the Tamarindus genus of the legume family, Fabaceae, but they are not the same thing. Visually, sweet tamarind fruits are longer and thinner than sour tamarind, with a brownish skin that feels relatively soft. In contrast, sour tamarind fruits are shorter and thicker, with darker skin, usually blackish-brown in color, and have a harder texture. The taste difference between the two is significant: sweet tamarind, as its name suggests, has a higher sugar content, a refreshing sweet flavor, and a subtle fruity aroma, making it pleasant to eat directly. Sour tamarind, on the other hand, is primarily sour, with only a few varieties developing slight sweetness when mature. Most sour tamarinds need to be processed into preserves, jams, or similar products to moderate their intense sourness. Nutritionally, sweet tamarind is rich in various vitamins and minerals, while sour tamarind contains abundant organic acids and dietary fiber, making it more effective in stimulating appetite and aiding digestion.
Therefore, sweet tamarind can be considered a special variety or type of tamarind. While both share the same origin, they differ in taste and methods of consumption. When purchasing or eating tamarind, individuals can choose the variety that best suits their taste preferences.
