Showing posts with label FRUITS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FRUITS. Show all posts

TAMARIND FRUIT, IT'S HEALTH BENEFITS AND TAMARIND SODA

the tamarind fruit

Tamarind Soda
tamarind in brief
The tamarind is a long-lived, bushy tree with drooping branches and leaflets that close up at night.

 The fruit has a hard, brown shell and in it, contains a fleshy, juicy pulp which is brown or reddish-brown when ripened.
We call this ‘asam jawa’- tamarind is native to tropical Africa, abundant in  India and South Asia. 

The tamarind fruit is used extensively in cuisines around the world with some traditional medicinal uses and over ten health benefits.
I really like the name “tamarind” or ‘tamarene’ as known by the Maoris of Cook Island… sounds beautiful.

It's edible pulp is more palatable when ripened. The unripe hard green pulp is sour and acidic too.

NUTRITION
The tamarind fruit has a sweet sour taste, high in acid, sugar acid, sugar, B vitamins, vitamin C, carotenes, calcium, fiber, potassium and magnesium.
culinary uses  
In Western cuisine, it is found in Worcestershire sauce and HP sauce.
In some other countries, it is used as in tamarinier jams and syrups and as snacks- either dried and salted, sweet, soft clusters or candied.

Or the tambran balls rolled with white granulated sugar and a blend of spices. 
Also used to make sour chilled drink and carbonated drink. 
Commonly for us in Southeast Asia, tamarind is used as a souring ingredient in food dishes. 
A salad dish of young tender tamarind leaves, boiled beans, topped with crushed peanuts and crispy fried onions, is served in rural Myanmar.

traditional medicinal uses  

In Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines and Javanese traditional medicine, tamarind leaves are used as a herbal infusion for malarial fever, the fruit juice as an antiseptic, and for scurvy and even cough cure. Throughout Southeast Asia, fruit of the tamarind is used a poultice applied to foreheads of fever sufferers.
In ayurvedic medicine, it is used for gastric and/or digestion problems, and in 
cardioprotective activity.
health benefits 
It is rich in antioxidants and this helps fight against cancers.
It also helps lower cholesterol and treat bile disorder.
Helps in digestion, acts as a mild laxative and can be gargled to ease sore throat.
Based on human study, tamarind intake may delay the progression of skeletal flourisis by enhancing excretion of fluoride. However, additional research is neededSkeletal fluorosis is a bone disease caused by excessive consumption of fluoride.

Drinking tamarind juice can help reduce this risk for diabetics and is of benefit in relation to blood sugar levels.
The juice is good for the skin, apply on the skin for that healthy glow.

tamarind- it’s side effects

Although generally safe, tamarind juice can have adverse effects on health. It can increase the absorption of aspirin and ibuprofen by the body and should be avoided by those taking these medicines. It may cause acidity in people who suffer from acid reflux.
Links here  and  here 

other uses

Tamarind concentrate can be used to remove tarnish from brass and copper.
Tamarind Soda 
5 tbsp heap tamarind pulp
Brown sugar to taste
2 tsp nutmeg powder
1 can carbonated drink ( sprite, 7up or lime flavored sparkling mineral water)
Mix tamarind paste with 5 cups of water, squeeze out juice from pulp. Strain away residue. Add in sugar and nutmeg powder.  Heat up, when boiled, let steep for 5 minutes. Leave to cool.
Keep chilled, when ready to serve, add in carbonated drink.

WRAP UP 2012, COLLAGEN IS VITAL.

wrap up 2012 and unwind
FUN, FASHION, FOOD, flowers- NO WORK, NO SERIOUS COOKING
A food and beverage blog like mine, is a site centered around foods and drinks… health benefits if any, will be a priority bonus.
A wrap up recipe  for year end 2012 would be almost perfect…. .. But for me, end of year means  a time to relax and  stay cool… no hassle, no cooking, just eat out, socialize  and keep up with friends- until next year end …
I also spend some time looking at women mags and fashion…  like those designer clothes and accessories… and the humor that spice them all… some fun and stress free moments will be a real treat, like anti oxidant is to the body cells.
The way is, to strife for quality life –
hence the need for excellent health, mental alertness and slowing of the aging process. 
My way is, i must ensure my collagen intake is sufficient- 
and go for the five color fruits. 

Collagen cannot be produced without vitamin C. Over 90% of the collagen in the body, however, is of type one = ie:  skin, tendon, vascular ligature, organs, bone (main component of the organic part of bone)
Collagen nourishes the skin from the inside, strengthen skin tissues, prevents drying and reduce wrinkles. Also for cartilage, bases of cell basement membrane (eye lens, kidney) and cell surfaces ( hair and placenta) – to name a few of the 28 types of collagen.
The ratio of veggies (may include fruits) to other foods is 4:1
NO WORK NOW,,,,
FASHION as i saw in the mag 
best dressed of the year- critics choice.
1.Tilda Swinton in Haider Ackermann – 2.Emmy Rossum in Monique Lhuillier - 3.Sonam Kapoor in Salvatore Ferragamo –
best dressed of the year- readers choice
1. Diane Kruger in Vivienne Westwood –2. Coco Rocha in Zac Posen –3. Blake Lively in Zuhair Murad Couture – ‘Savages’ LA Premiere- 4. Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge in Jenny Packham –

2012  - 
To us, watching gala fashion shows on runway is part of an expensive entertainment,
to the models it is a fun  serious career.. 

They look like killer shoes- ankle twist or fracture is not impossible> my comment


I feel like a candy






each of us went through 
flip flops in our career..






looking back.... gardenia first love , a beautiful white