Indian Fruit - Manila Tamarind/Pithecellobium dulce/Kodukapuli/Monkey pod/Jungle jalebi - Description, Origin, culinary use, Taste and Texture along with Purchase and Storage (A Complete guide)
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Inside The Post -
What is Manila Tamarind/Kodukapuli/Monkeypod/Jungle Jalebi/Seema Chintakayalu Uses/Manila Tamarind Fruit/Madras Thorn
In India, about a half-century ago, the Manila Tamarind/Madras Thorn/Camachile/Kodukapuli tree was a ubiquitous one on both sides of highways, and on school, grounds including in the backyards of several houses in rural and urban areas. Summers are synonymous with these fruits. Nowadays, these fruits are rarely available.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ORIGIN OF MANILA TAMARIND/KODUKAPULI
Manila tamarind tree grows widely in the tropical regions of the world. It is native to the Pacific coast and adjacent highlands of Mexico, Central America, and Northern South America (Paul Stanley’s book – Trees and Shrubs of Mexico 1920) confirms Central America is the origin of this fruit. The Spaniards had introduced “camachile” to Guam and then the Philippines via Manila galleons. It also has been introduced to Thailand and South Asia.
India of course a tropical region that grows Manila Tamarind in many parts including Tamilnadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Delhi.
DESCRIPTION OF MANILA TAMARIND/KODUKAPULI
Manila Tamarind is an evergreen, growing up to 15 meters in massive height. Its trunk is spiny and its leaves are bipinnate (feather-like leaves). It bears fragrant whitish-green flowers, that produce a pod. These pods are greenish when raw and on maturation go from pinkish to deep red. When the pod is ripe it shows indication by opening up and exposing the seed arils. The pod contains a white or pink edible pulpy flesh that surrounds the seed.
FEW INDIAN REGIONAL OR VERNACULAR NAMES OF MANILA TAMARIND/KODUKAPULLI
Pithecellobium dulce, commonly known as Manila Tamarind.
Tamil name - Kodukapuli/Kodika
Hindi name - Vilayati Imli
Telugu name - Seema Chintakayalu
Gujarati name - Gorasambli
VERNACULAR NAMES
TAMILNADU
Kodukapuli tree is one of the traditional trees of Tamilnadu. Within Tamilnadu, Kodukapuli is known by different names. Popularly people say Madras Thorn but it’s not native to Madras. It is also known by Kodi-kai Puli which means Vined Tamarind, Kona Puliyankai means Twisted Tamarind, Konakkai means Twisted Vegetable, and Seeni Puliangai means Sweet Tamarind.
ANDHRA PRADESH
Manila Tamarind is known by Seema Chintakayalu which means Foreign/Alien Tamarind.
OTHER NAMES
Manila tamarind is also known as Jungle Jalebi which means it resembles Indian Jalebi.
FLAVOUR OF MANILA TAMARIND/KODUKAPULI
Manila Tamarind/Kodukapuli is a combination of three tastes (sweet, sour, and astringent). At the beginning of the ripe, it tastes more astringent, sour, and mildly sweet, and when it is fully ripened, it tastes sweet.
TEXTURE OF MANILA TAMARIND
Manila
tamarind/Kodukapuli is a soft cotton in texture when you chew it feels like
eating coconut, apple kind of texture.
INDIAN CULINARY USES OF MANILA TAMARIND/KODUKAPULI
Generally,
Manila Tamarind/Kodukapuli is eaten as a raw fruit. Apart from edible fruit,
other parts of the tree like the leaves are used in folk remedies for
indigestion. The bark is said to be very curative for bowel
movement/constipation.
Across different Indian cuisines rarely uses Manila Tamarind/Kodukapuli in cooking. But people from rural areas and people who can easily access this fruit use it in their cooking. They make curries, rasam, chutneys, pickles, and summer beverages.
TIPS TO BUY AND STORE MANILA TAMARIND/KODUKAPULI
Manila Tamarind/Kodukapuli
is a summer fruit. Its season starts in late March and continues until May.
You can purchase from seasonal fruit sellers.
It is easily
perishable in nature.
HOW TO STORE KODUKAPULI/MANILA TAMARIND?
You can
store manila tamarind/kodukapuli for a maximum of 3 days.
HAPPY COOKING!
with better ingredients for better food.
Do check out the other "Summer seasonal fruits"
🔗Jamun Fruit/Java Plum/Nava Pazham/Naval Palam
🔗Armenian cucumber/Pinju Vellarikaai/Kakdi
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