Want to make a delicious treat with simple ingredients and little preparation? Try making Mexican sweet and spicy candy. It is a simple snack that everyone loves, especially Mexican food lovers. Moreover, the preparation process is fun and interesting. So, you can involve your children or friends in the preparation. Below, you will find a detailed Mexican tamarind candy recipe. Follow it and prepare a tasty snack!
Ah, the sweet and spicy allure of Mexican tamarind candies! This delightful treat brings together the tangy essence of tamarind, the citrusy burst of orange, and the perfect blend of sweet and spicy notes from sugar and chili-lime seasoning. It's a fiesta of flavors that dances on your taste buds, leaving you craving for more. The interactive process of making these candies is not only fun but also a great way to share the joy of creating delicious treats with loved ones.
Tamarindo Candy
Tamarind candy, often referred to as “tamarindo candy,” is a popular sweet made from the fruit of the tamarind tree. Tamarind candy originated in tropical regions of Africa and Asia. It has gained popularity worldwide, especially in Latin America and Southeast Asia.
A unique combination of sweet, sour, and tangy flavors is characteristic of tamarind candy. The tamarind fruit itself has a distinct sweet and sour flavor that is intensified by the candying process. The outer coating of tamarind candy is often sweetened with sugar or other sweeteners. This helps to balance the acidity of the tamarind pulp.
Tamarind Candy Ingredients
To make Mexican tamarind candies, you’ll need:
- Tamarind pods: Tamarind is the main ingredient that gives the candies their distinctive tangy flavor.
- Water: It is used to soak the tamarind pods to soften them and to extract the pulp, which forms the basis of the candy.
- Orange: Orange provides a citrus note that complements the tartness of the tamarind and enhances the overall flavor of the candies.
- White sugar: Adds sweetness to help balance out the sourness of the tamarind and to create a more palatable candy.
- Chile-lime seasoning: It offers a blend of spicy, salty, and tangy flavors that give the candy a spicy kick and a unique taste. You can use such as Tajin® or more to taste
- Butter: Use it to add creamy richness and prevent sticking.
How to make Tamarind Candy?
- To make candies, firstly, combine the tamarind pulp, water, and orange in a pot. Bring to a boil. Simmer for 30 minutes, then let cool for another 30 minutes.
- Strain the tamarind mixture through a colander into a bowl, making sure to collect all the juice and pulp. It is better to repeat the process with a strainer. Remove and discard the seeds from the colander, keeping the outer skins.
- Blend the outer casings with the collected pulp in a blender.
- Pour the combined mixture back into the saucepan. Add the sugar, Tajin®, and butter and bring to a gentle boil, stirring constantly. Cook until the temperature reaches 240°F (115°C) or until a small amount forms a soft ball when dropped into cold water.
- Once ready, remove from heat and let it cool for approximately 2 hours.
- Pour the candy mixture into a pastry or plastic sandwich bag and press it into plastic spoons. Place the spoons on a cookie sheet and refrigerate until firm, usually about 1 hour. Optionally, coat the candies with more Tajin® before wrapping them in plastic and securing them with a twist tie.
Recipe Tips
- You can substitute 1 lemon or 3 limes for the orange.
- You can control the heat of the candy by adding more or less chili lime seasoning.
- Another way to prepare the candy is to squeeze the mixture into small plastic soufflé cups, add fruit pieces, sprinkle Tajin® over the top, chill, and then wrap them up for storage.
How To Eat Tamarind Candy
No matter what the occasion, Mexican candy is always good fun. It’s a nice treat to have every now and then. These candies are often sticky and chewy, so keep your hands clean if you need to lick your fingers!
Keep in mind that they contain seeds or small pieces of tamarind fruit, so be careful when chewing so as not to bite into a hard seed. The taste is sweet and tangy. This makes them unique and delicious!
How to store Mexican tamarind candies?
To store Mexican tamarind candies, you can keep them in an airtight container or seal them in plastic wrap. This will help them stay fresh. Store candy in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or heat sources. This will help prevent them from becoming too sticky or melting. When stored correctly, they should retain their quality for several weeks.
Notes:
- If you’ve never made jelly candies before, this simple recipe is a great place to start. Essentially, instead of making a spreadable jelly, the fruit is thickened enough to be sliced. Using frozen tamarind pulp means there’s no fruit to wash or slice; look for it at your local Mexican grocery store if your supermarket doesn’t carry it. You’ll also need liquid pectin, which is usually found in the baking aisle along with canned goods.
- It is necessary to make sure that the tamarind and dates are well-soaked, otherwise, it will be difficult to blend.
- Additionally, make sure to cook the mixture until it separates from the pan, otherwise it will turn sticky.
FAQ
What is the taste of tamarindo?
Tamarinds have a mild taste. However, they are a bit tart. This is why it is better to add sugar to the fruit to balance out the acidity of the fruit. The fruit itself can also be a little sticky.
What are Tamarindo candies made of?
Tamarind pulp and sugar are the main ingredients. Some chili powder is added for spicy ones.
What are Mexican candies on a spoon?
In Mexico, you can find white plastic spoons filled with tamarindo candy. They’re wrapped in plastic. They’re very popular. You can find them in candy and grocery stores. They are a quick and fun way to enjoy your candy!
How do I cut fruit jellies?
When you’re ready to cut and serve the candies, place a sheet of parchment paper on top of the baking dish and turn the tamarind jelly candies upside down on your work surface. Remove the baking dish and aluminum foil, but leave the parchment paper underneath. How you want to cut the candies is up to you! Use a knife lightly greased with cooking spray or butter to cut the jelly into even cubes. Or use a large round pastry tip to cut 1-inch rounds or
An interesting recipe, but as a dietitian, I have a question: is tamarind itself not tasty enough to make candies from it? Moreover, this fruit is so beneficial that its contribution to health and beauty is hard to overestimate: it improves digestion, regulates appetite, reduces gas formation, and also helps increase serotonin levels. Tamarind has long been used even for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. So I am a big fan of these little fruits. However, the recipe for tamarind candies would be ideal if it weren't for the huge amount of sugar in it. I would completely remove it and, in the worst case, replace it with natural sweeteners (perhaps adding a little honey or agave/topinambur syrup). I must emphasize that tamarind itself is naturally sweet and has a distinctly pleasant taste, so consuming it in its pure form would be the healthiest option for you.
1. Bring the tamarind pulp, water, and orange to a boil in a pot. Continue to cook for 30 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool for 30 minutes.
2. Pour the tamarind mixture into a colander that is placed over a large bowl. Mash until all the juice and pulp drip into the bowl, scraping against the side of the colander. Dump the remaining seeds into a strainer and repeat the process; remove the outer casing around the seeds by hand and toss the seeds out.
3. Blend outer casings with juicy pulp in an electric blender.
4. Pour the mixture back into the large pot. Add the sugar, the Tajin®, and the butter. Bring to a soft boil, stirring constantly. Heat to 240 degrees F (115 degrees C) or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a soft ball that flattens when removed from water and placed on a flat surface.
5. Remove from heat and let cool, for about 2 hours.
6. Fill a pastry or plastic sandwich bag with the candy mixture and squeeze it onto plastic spoons. Place plastic spoons onto a cookie sheet and chill until firm, about 1 hour. Coat with more Tajin® if desired, wrap with plastic, and close with a twist tie.
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.
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Experiment with different chili-lime seasonings to find the perfect balance of heat and tang for your palate. Some blends offer a milder kick, while others bring a fiery intensity. Adjusting the spice level allows you to tailor the candies to your liking and cater to a variety of taste preferences. Don't be afraid to get creative with the seasoning – it's the key to unlocking a truly personalized tamarind candy experience!
