Tamr hindi
 Bottles of Tamr Hindi on the left | |
| Country of origin | Egypt and the Levant |
|---|---|
| Region of origin | Middle East and North Africa |
| Colour | Brown |
| Ingredients | Tamarind, water, sugar |
Tamr hindi (Arabic: تمر هندي), translating to "Indian date", is a beverage consumed in Egypt and the Levant made from tamarind, water, and sugar. It has a sweet and tangy flavor and is especially popular during Ramadan, providing a refreshing drink after fasting.[1]
Preparation
The Egyptian version of tamr hindi is prepared by soaking tamarind in water until it softens, allowing it to release its juice. The softened tamarind is then strained, and the process may be repeated multiple times to extract as much flavor as possible. After straining, sugar is added and stirred until dissolved. The drink is then chilled and served over ice, sometimes with a touch of blossom water for aroma.[2]
In an alternative method, tamarind is boiled in water until it softens, then strained, with additional water and sugar added to enhance the flavor. Some variations include the addition of rose water for a fragrant note. To serve, the concentrated tamarind syrup is diluted with cold water and adjusted for sweetness before being poured over ice.[3]
Rose water can be added to flavor the drink.[4][5]
Popularity
Tamr hindi’s balance of sweetness and tartness makes it a staple in Egyptian households, particularly during warm weather and festive occasions like Ramadan.[1]
Like many other Ramadan foods, the Syrian civil war caused the popularity of tamr hindi to drop in Syria due to the wars economic effects, some sellers had to omit sugar from the drink as they could not afford it.[6]
The beverage is traditionally served from an ornate brass jug.[7][8]
See Also
References
- ^ a b "Tamer Hindi (Tamarind Beverage)". Epicurious. Retrieved March 16, 2025.
- ^ "Tamer Hindi – Egyptian Tamarind Drink". Egyptian Recipe. Retrieved March 16, 2025.
- ^ "Tamr Hindi – Tamarind Drink". The Big Sweet Tooth. Retrieved March 16, 2025.
- ^ "Tamarind Juice". Midwest Living. 7 Jun 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ "Ramadan drinks, sweet tamarind and qamar el deen". Chef in disguise. 3 August 2012. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ "Traditional Ramadan foods and drinks absent from Aleppo tables". Enab Baladi. 12 April 2022. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ "Syrian juice vendor gears up for Ramadan". Daily Sabah. French Press Agency - AFP. 13 April 2021. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
- ^ "Syria Juice Vendor Gears Up for Ramadan as Crisis Takes Toll". Voice of America. French Press Agency - AFP. 10 April 2021. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
