Tamarind

Tamarind may be introduced as soon as your baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age.

Commonly sold as a paste in jars and added to dishes for its sweet and sour flavors, tamarind pulp comes from the pods of a fruit tree native to Africa and India and is now a key ingredient in cooking all over the globe. In Iran, tamarind is used to tenderize meats and season fish; in India, it flavors chutneys, curries, and dals; in Mexico and the Caribbean islands, it is sweetened to make agua fresca and candies; in the Philippines, it adds lip-puckering bite to marinades and soups. Whole tamarind pods and products made from the pulp (concentrate, paste, powder, syrup) are sometimes marketed as “sour” or “sweet” but don’t be fooled: they are all tangy and tart thanks to the fruit’s natural acidity. The labels simply refer to the time that the fruit pods spend aging on the tree. The longer they ripen, the sweeter they get.

★Tip: New to tamarind? The fruit can be purchased in the pods, as a concentrate, as a paste, or as a powder. Breaking down tamarind pods to extract the pulp is a tedious task at best so if you are new to tamarind, buy the paste or powder to introduce this sweet-sour flavor, and hold on the concentrate until your child is acclimated to the taste. A little paste or powder goes a long way! Just the tip of a spoonful is enough to add a flavor bomb to your next sauce, soup, or stew!

Yes, though it’s unlikely your baby will consume much as tamarind is primarily used as a flavor enhancer. That said, the fruit offers some fiber, protein, and fatty acids, as well as small amounts of nutrients that are critical for growing children, including calcium, magnesium, vitamin A, and iron. It also contains plenty of antioxidants and phytonutrients to power the immune system.

There are lots of nutritious ways to introduce tamarind to babies and toddlers—but candies are not one of them. Never give candy to your baby. Aside from containing lots of added sugar, candy is a common cause of choking in children there have been reports of lead contamination in tamarind candies.

★Tip: Whole tamarind pods have a phenomenal shelf life. They last up to 3 months in the refrigerator and even years in the freezer.

Yes. The hard, edible seeds inside tamarind pods are a potential choking hazard and to a lesser degree, the pulp, if your baby manages to get a large glob in their mouth at one time. To reduce the risk, incorporate smooth tamarind pulp into your sauces and dishes, offer smears of the pulp on your finger as a way to entice your baby to try this delicious and bright flavor, and if you are working with whole tamarind pods, be careful to remove all of the hidden seeds and skins.

For more information, visit our section on gagging and choking and familiarize yourself with common choking hazards.

No. However, tamarind is a member of the legume family, so individuals who are allergic to peanut, soy, or other legumes may be sensitive to the fruit.  The vast majority of kids with peanut allergy can safely consume other legumes, so you don’t have to avoid legumes such as tamarind due to a pre-existing peanut allergy.  As you would when introducing any new food, start by offering a small quantity of tamarind for the first couple of servings. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the quantity over future meals.