Does Tamarind Go Bad?

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Tamarind is an edible fruit that is native to tropical Africa. The tree produces brown-colored and pod-like fruits that contain tangy, sweet, and a bit sour pulp, Which is used in different kinds of cuisines in the world. It is also used in making traditional medicines, plus its seeds oil is also extracted. It is sometimes also known as the “date of India.”

It is rich in magnesium, potassium, and iron. It also has many health benefits, including its antioxidants may boost heart health, and it has antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-fungal effects. But, unfortunately, they can also go bad under certain circumstances; if you know more about this fruit, this article is for you.

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How to Store Tamarind

Now that you have bought the tamarind, you must be wondering how you can store it properly. If you want to make your tamarind last longer and increase its shelf life, you must choose the best storage methods out of many, plus your consumption needs also describe which method of storage you need to opt for.

Here we will discuss some of the major storage techniques that will help you increase the life of your tamarind so that you can use it in the later future.

At a Room Temperature

Suppose you want to consume your tamarind within a week. You can keep them at room temperature. Just take care of the temperature that is not too hot because the hotter the climate, the faster the tamarind will rip, and it will spoil very quickly.

Keep in Refrigerator

The other method that you can choose is refrigeration. Tamarinds stored in the refrigerator can increase its life for up to three months. Put the tamarind in an airtight container or a sealed bag and refrigerate them. Doing so will keep your tamarind away from moisture because moisture can decrease your tamarind’s life and make it spoiled quickly.

In the Freezer

There is another method which is normally chosen to keep your fruit for a very long time. If you want to consume your tamarind later and need to store them for more than three months, freezing your tamarind is the best possible method that you can choose to store it.

By using Salt

Here is another technique to preserve your tamarind is by using Salt. Remove the seeds from tamarind and add kitchen salt to it. That is how you can store your tamarind for a long time which eventually you can use for cooking.

Can You Freeze Tamarind

The answer to that question is yes; you can freeze your tamarind. People choose the freezing method when they want to store anything for a very long. For example, if you want to keep your tamarinds good for almost one year, you should store them in the freezer.

Put them in the freezer-safe food bag or the airtight container and label them with the date when it is placed in the freezer. Though it can remain in the freezer for almost a year, it will change its texture and a bit of a flavor.

How Long Does Tamarind Last

Now that you know about properly storing your tamarind, you should also be aware of when your tamarind will expire. Normally it depends on how the tamarind is stored, under what circumstances, and how long it was kept.

If you keep your tamarind at room temperature, which is not very hot and is not under the exposure of direct sunlight or any heat source, then it can last for seven days. However, if you choose the refrigeration method, the life span of the tamarind will be three months. On the other hand, if you choose the other storage method that is freezing, then the increased life of tamarind will be almost one year.

How To Tell If Tamarind Is Bad

Now that you have the knowledge of different aspects regarding tamarind, there is a time when you should also know about the indications that will tell you if your tamarind has gone bad or still fresh and consumable. Everything, when it starts going bad or expires, shows few indications. Therefore, we are going to discuss some of the major indications that you can notice and easily tell if your tamarind is going too bad soon or not.

Let’s have a look at the different types of indications.

Texture: One of the major indications is the change in the texture of the spoiled tamarind. The texture of the fresh tamarind is soft when it is touched, but when it goes bad, the texture of the flesh will become hard.
Taste: Taste is another sign that can indicate if your tamarind is bad or is going too bad soon. You can use your tongue to taste the tamarind, indicating the difference between fresh and spoiled tamarind.