Manila Tamarind, Childhood snack

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អំពិលទឹក read as [Ampil Teuok, translate as Water Tamarind, I have no idea why they call it like that] is Madras Thorn or Manila Tamarind or Camachile [Pithecellobium dulce] is childhood fruit to many of us here in Cambodia. English name can be Sweet tamarind, Monkeypod and Blackbead. This fruit is a native of Southern Mexico, South America and Central America. However, I grown up eating them from my childhood up to now. I love eating them when sitting in the car/during travel.

Ripe Manila tamarind
Ripe Manila tamarind3024×4032 3.07 MB

Type of trees/fruits:

  • Draught resistant tree with thorns, not easy to climb on this tree - it is between 3-15meters heights. It starts giving fruits since it is small.
  • Goats love to eat its leaves.
  • It is grown as the fence along the land territory
  • The tree is found almost everywhere in Cambodia, especially in plain area
  • It was valueless before, now it can be sold from 3-6$/kilo
  • The fruits can be either white or red, depends on species. It has seeds inside.
  • It tastes bitter/harsh when green and very sweet when ripe. You need a water near you when you eat them​​ to prevent choking
  • Older people believe that this fruit is very good to get rid of Taenia/tapeworms from your intestine system.

The internal - this tastes so good!
The internal - this tastes so good!3024×4032 1.98 MB

Health benefits of manila tamarind:

  • Manages toothaches, sore gums and mouth ulcers.
  • Works as an antiseptic
  • The abundance of vitamin C in Manila tamarinds, boost the immune system and reduces phlegm.
  • The bark extract is used to cure dysentery and chronic diarrheas.
  • Its high thiamine content, promote the body to convert sugars into energy, which impacts the mood and helps stabilize stress levels.
  • Manila tamarind fruit exhibited strong anti-ulcer activity comparable to the standard drug, omeprazole.
  • Manilla tamarind fruit extracts protected the liver from oxidative
  • Treats oily scalp and prevents hair loss.
  • Slow down the ageing - lightens the skin, removes dark spots, and cures acne.

Do you have something similar here @TusharSuradkar @Ant_Bad_Yogi ?

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@MukulR long time no hear, how are you doing? I hope you are well.

Do you feel familiar with this fruit?

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Unfortunately, I am not familiar with this kind of Tamarind @Sophia_Cambodia . Everyday, I drink half a cup of tamarind juice mixed with sugar, I will try to show you a photo this evening after I return home. I am not sure whether this tamarind found in Bangladesh, I have not seen it before. Thanks for this nice post. Stay safe. Regards.

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I see @MukulR I read that they have it in India.

With you around, Connect is lively again! I think you have been busy lately?

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Yes, getting busy a bit nowadays @Sophia_Cambodia . I hope to come back soon once I can manage my time. Stay safe. Regards.

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Your post refreshed my childhood memories @Sophia_Cambodia .

Here in Gujarat we call it ‘Goras Ambli’. I remember having a small shop near on my school. From where we bought Goras Ambli and eat all the friends together.

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Wow… so it really is the childhood fruit @NareshDarji so it means it can be related to many people here then.

It was free at that time, we would just bring our hook around and spot any tree with such fruits and would pick them and eat together. I would visit many houses for this particular fruit.

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Absolutely, a well-written article @Sophia_Cambodia , and agree with just about every line you have written

A great refresher from childhood, we used to eat the tamarind a lot, especially during lunch-break where it was sold just outside the school.

All benefits of tamarind that you have listed are true and scientifically proven.

Tamarind is an ingredient in daily food in India as part of the Rasam-Rice.

We used to take it a notch ahead in that, the seeds that are black/brown and hard could be used for playing an interesting board game :blush: as a dice.

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Thank you dear for your kind words @TusharSuradkar I forgot to mention about its seeds for game, we did have that!

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@Sophia_Cambodia Wow, I miss this Manila Tamarind. I used to eat it when I was a kid. I think even now I still see it somewhere. I didn’t know it has many health benefits. Thank you so much for sharing this post with us.

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Hey dear @Ant_Bad_Yogi glad we share childhood memories. I thought it was only us having these. Connect also brought me new knowledge.

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@Sophia_Cambodia It’s nice to learn other’s culture and life style. I think they are interesting. :slightly_smiling_face:

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I cannot agree more @Ant_Bad_Yogi learning about your childhood also brings me knowledge.

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@Sophia_Cambodia tamarind water with a lot of ice for this warm weather is like paradise

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Hi dear @karinchavoll I never knew you could drink its juice too.

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Hi dear @karinchavoll I have never tried the juice, would be great right? So you had the fruit too, right?

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Hi @Sophia_Cambodia in Mexico tamarind water is made with boiling water 1 L. and 15 tamarind pods, unveined and with no seeds, you boil this for 20 minutes and let it dry, when cold you place it in the blender and blend with a little water and strain it and place it in a pitcher with more cold water 1 L add sugar if necessary and enjoy the fresh flavor as well you can place it in the freezer and make a delicious frappe or smoothie.

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It sounds so good, I will try it @karinchavoll

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It is one of the favorite of mine. I used to eat it a lots in my childhood. This tree is available in my colony. Thanks @Sophia_Cambodia for rejuvenating my childhood memories.

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So glad it does dear @Rohan10 I’m craving for it now!!