Tamarind and Lychee
Thursday, 14 Jul 2005 | Food, Friends
Today, Anna brought me a couple of items to try. I discussed with her a few days ago that I've never tried fresh tamarind. So she brought tamarind and lychee for me to try.
I have to say that both tamarind and lychee look rather odd to an American. The tamarind is a large brown pod and the lychee is inside a reddish shell with spikes. I was a little hesitant to try them, but I am pretty good about trying new foods, so I just did it.
The tamarind tasted a little bit like a prune to me. It was sweet and sticky. I liked the flavor. The lychee was very juicy when I peeled away the outer covering. The fruit was very pale and reminded me of a grape with its skin peeled off. It tasted like a cross between a grape and honeydew melon. It also had the consistency of a large grape. The single seed inside was large and looked very interesting.
I'm grateful to Anna for sharing these foods with me. I got to try something new and found that I liked the taste of both items very much.
Comments
Vangirl said at 1:23 AM on Friday, July 15, 2005
Lychee is probably my fave exotic summer fruits, especially on a hot summer's day...sweet, juicy, cold...mmmmm. Lychee ice cream is sooo good too, or a nice lychee slushie (can of lychee, ice, a bit of honey for taste...blend). I always give lychees to my non-Asian friends to try. I'm glad you got to taste some!
Kathya said at 1:38 AM on Friday, July 15, 2005
Lychee is soo delicious when taken fresh off the tree! I used to make lychee ice cream and it's very delicious, I think you would like it. Tamarind is something I also grew up with. My grandmother used to make an iced tamarind drink, sweetened with sugar water. My dad also cooked a lot with tamarind, especially fish.
I'm happy that you are willing to try things you've never had before, plus I really like the way you were able to describe the tastes and textures! :)
Josie said at 1:50 AM on Friday, July 15, 2005
I love lychee and tamarind. I especially love Mangorind.
disneymike said at 8:31 AM on Friday, July 15, 2005
Vangirl - It sounds like you're a real lychee fan! The lychee slushie sounds like a winner on a hot Palm Springs summer day. :)
Kathya - The fresh lychee and tamarind was very good. It's interesting how foods we're not familiar with seem strange. I grew up eating squid and it seems normal, but many Americans find it unappetizing. Mexicans love Menudo which contains tripe and it's normal to them. Thanks for the kudos for trying new things and my descriptions. ;)
Josie - Ha ha, now I'm a fan of lychee and tamarind as well. The Manorind sounds like it would be good. Is it a candy? I would try that too if I could locate it around here.
Yvette said at 6:12 PM on Friday, July 15, 2005
Hey... So glad that you like lychees! And you have to try "dragon eyes" fruit and it is so sweet but only grows in summer session and only in Hawaii and in southern China. My mom grows both lychees and dragon eyes in the back yard of her house! Plenty mangoe and coffee trees around...I enjoy your blog; considering yourself that I bookmarked this!
Yvette said at 6:13 PM on Friday, July 15, 2005
Session? I mean ..season... I went to college today and I heard session too much! *Sorry*
disneymike said at 8:18 PM on Friday, July 15, 2005
Yvette - Hmm, maybe I'll try a dragon eyes fruit when I'm in Hawaii. I'm so glad you enjoy my blog and have bookmarked it. Don't worry, I mistype things all the time too. LOL
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