Sweet and Sour (standard:non fiction, 241 words)
Author: Juggernaut	Added: Jul 14 2012	Views/Reads: 2698/0	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
Tamarind tree is known for providing cool shade, under its canopy homelss and panhandlers live for generations. The green Tamarind pods makes sour chatney and the pup from ripe pods is sweet and sour and used in many dishes.

Sweet and Sour 

Subba Rao 

In contrast to Mango, Neem or Gooseberry, the Tamarind tree 

with evergreen dense foliage on drooping branches from towering trunk 

is known for cool shade. Homeless and panhandlers for generations live 

under the canopy of Tamarind trees. 

Long time ago, when the means of transportation was limited to 

walking, bicycling or ride on rickshaw, tree lined streets provided 

enough shade and protection during hot Indian summers and monsoons. 

Large Tamarind trees were always found on either road sides, street 

corners or on Government lands and not often in the backyards; perhaps 

it is too big for the small backyards. People more often plant Banana, 

Mango or Gooseberry trees over Tamarind in their backyards. 

Tamarind trees that lined the streets in the cities and 

country side fell to make way for more roads and now as people travel 

in AC cars, natural tree shade on the streets became redundant. 

The emerging young leaves, flowers and green Tamarind pods 

make excellent sour chutney, the sweet and sour fruit pulp from ripe 

pods is extensively used in a variety of culinary preparations.  The 

Tamarind fruit pulp is a big business. 

The dark brown colored seeds with hard skin in each pod have 

other uses. The fruit extract is also used as metal polisher 

particularly silver and brass ware. The dark tree wood makes good 

furniture. Cash flow for traders and home for homeless, the Tamarind is 

sweet and sour. 


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