Green Tamarind (Tamarindus indica), also called Chintakaya, Kacchi Imli or Puli
Green tamarind is the young, unripe pod of the tamarind tree, picked before the pulp turns brown and sweet. It’s firm, crisp and very sour, with a fresh, tangy flavor that ripe tamarind doesn’t have. Green tamarind is a staple in South Indian, Southeast Asian and Latin American kitchens, and it’s hard to find fresh in the US. That’s why we grow it right here in Homestead, Florida.
About the fruit
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Flavor: Intensely sour, bright and tangy, with a crisp texture
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Popular uses:
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Chintakaya Pachadi / Thokku: the classic Andhra green tamarind chutney
- Pickles (achar) and spicy relishes
- Added to dal, sambar, rasam and curries for fresh sourness
- Eaten raw with salt and chili powder as a snack
- Used in Thai and Southeast Asian salads and dipping sauces
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Nutrition: A good source of vitamin C, fiber and antioxidants
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Storage: Refrigerate in a paper or perforated bag and use within 1–2 weeks. For longer storage, grind into a paste or make pickle and freeze it.
About the tree (nursery)
- A long-lived, hardy tropical tree with feathery leaves and a wide, shady canopy
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Climate: Thrives in South Florida’s heat and is drought-tolerant once established. Protect young trees from frost.
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Soil: Adapts to many soil types, including the limestone soils of South Florida, as long as drainage is good
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Sun: Full sun
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Fruiting: Grafted trees usually start bearing in 3–5 years. Seedling trees can take longer.
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Bonus: You can harvest green pods for cooking and let the rest ripen into sweet-sour brown tamarind
Why buy from Radhe Farms?
Our green tamarind is picked fresh from our own trees at our farm in Homestead, Florida, so you get the crisp, tangy pods just like back home. We also offer healthy tamarind trees for home growers.
