Tamarind is a fruit that grows in wood vaneer-like pods. When the fruit is ripe the insides become dark brown and sticky like gummy candy. The flavor is deeply sour, sweet, and a little tangy. This fruit is popular in most the world minus North America where it is usually used as an ingredient in steak sauce.
Tamarind powder is made from dehydrated and ground tamarind. The flavor is highly concentrated as opposed to fresh tamarind and is intensely more sweet-and sour. The flavor is often used to add a puckeriness to sauces, chutneys, lentil and legume dishes, and pickles. In Western kitchens, chefs often use tamarind powder to craft BBQ sauces, ketchup, pizza sauces, and as a seasoning for wild game.
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