Tamarind Paste, Tamarind Slices
Asam Jawa
The tamarind in paste form is made from the pulp of the fruit, which is bean-like pods filled with seeds. It is commonly called Asam Jawa.
Asam Keping
The tamarind slice, or Asam Keping is the dried slices of the fruit from the Asam gelugor tree.
Tamarind (Asam Jawa)
What can it be used for?
Tamarind juice, which is extracted from the tamarind paste, has a sweet and sour taste with a tangy and tart flavour. Tamarind juice can be used as a meat tenderizer, or a base sauce for various seafood dishes (like asam fish, asam prawn). It is often used together with tamarind slices to create the perfect asam laksa.
Preparatory methods
Soak the tamarind paste in water and mix until the tamarind is dissolved in water. Drain away the water to remove the seeds, and you will have tamarind juice for your cooking needs.
How is it sold?
Tamarind paste is processed and preserved using salt and water, hence the paste is sold in packets. SGDried Goods has it available either in loose form secured by a plastic bag using a rubber band, or the Orchid Tamarind brand, as well as the tamarind in a cup which has seeds removed for convenience.
Tamarind Slices (Asam Keping)
What can it be used for?
It is often used together with tamarind paste to create dishes like asam pedas ikan (sour spicy fish), asam laksa, etc. The tamarind slices taste more sour than the tamarind paste, hence do adjust the quantity used according to your preferences.
Preparatory methods
As the tamarind slices are added directly when cooking, choose the softer and lighter colour ones for cooking. If the slices look darker in colour, it could be too dry and kept for a long time.
How is it sold?
SGDriedGoods carries it loose, you may purchase the quantity you need and we pack it for you.
