Tamarind 'Thai Sweet' (Tamarindus indica)

Grafted and flowering. Capable of producing fruit.

Sweet tamarind, or Makham Wan, is a rare Thai relative to the sour, traditional Tamarind and only grows in a handful of small regions. It is coveted for its sweet flavor and celebrated annually throughout its native providences.  Phetchabun and Loei host fairs for the harvest and sell Sweet Tamarind in delicate netting for holiday gift giving. 

Sweet Tamarind can adapt to a wide range of growing conditions and grows exceedingly well and effortlessly in Florida, especially in the south. Sweet Tamarind is a leguminous tree native to tropical Africa.  Sweet Tamarind trees can obtain impressive heights, reaching anywhere from 30-80 feet tall in the right habitat.  However, Sweet Tamarind trees are also highly prized Bonsai specimen and can be pruned and maintained at impressively small sizes as well.

Sweet Tamarind fruit is actually a long seedpod that can grow to be 12 inches in length.  The pulp within the seedpod is tangy and sweet.  It is popularly used to make chutneys (yum!), candies, salsas, sauces, flavor cocktails, etc. Sweet Tamarinds are available at markets in both sweet and tart varieties, but are fairly expensive supermarket items.  Grow your own Tamarind trees and enjoy your own bounty of deliciously tart Tamarinds each season.