Assam or Tamarind - Nonya Cooking Ingredient

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The Nonya cooking ingredient Assam or Tamarind is the pulp that is obtained from the pods of the tamarind tree (Tamarindus indica), which is tall and graceful, with sprays of fine leaves. Assam or Tamarind is a sticky fibrous mass which may sometimes include the seeds and the broken seed pods.

When it is in the form of "Tamarind Pulp" it is known as Assam Jawa, while if it is in the form of "Tamarind Pieces" it is known as Assam Keping.

To obtain the Assam or Tamarind  liquid, this pulp is squeezed in a little hot water and then strained through a muslin cloth.

Assam or Tamarind  pieces (including the seed) are often used in place of the pulp; one or two pieces are added to the dish and then removed when the food has attained the required sourness. In addition, Assam or Tamarind  is also available in the dried, sliced form which is known as "sour slices" or Assam Keping orAssam Glugor. However, in this dried, sliced, form it is actually a different fruit (Garcinia atroviridis), but can be used interchangeably with Assam Jawa.