Yummy Soda

We were at the favorite Mexican place tonight… Imelda order the Jarrito with the tamarindo flavor. I asked one of the Marias (Maria Elena, specifically) how it is tamarind became both a Mexican and Asian flavor. She was surprised to find that it was popular in Asia as well… Well, it is in Thailand, Fun Daddy and I told her…. There must be some connection.

And it turns out that there is… it is native to Africa.. particularly to Madagascar’s dry tropical forests.. and is wild in the Sudan… of course, geographically speaking Madagascar is a hop, skip and a jump to Asia… Particularly to India…

With the Portuguese so active in trading with India tamarind was eventually brought to Europe. Inevitably ending up being introduced into the Americas… especially Mexico and the Caribbean. In Mexico, tamarind is a popular flavoring in candies and sodas…. Like the Jarrito enjoyed by Imelda tonight. Although I have to say, that I find the link to Sino-Peruvian food flavored with tamarind even more interesting.. Which direction did the flavor get to South America from? From Asia with it obvious tamarind influences or from the European Spanish population…

I guess I will have to keep checking.