Tamarind is a sour fruit harvested from the Fabaceae tree, which is indigenous to Africa. The fruit has a characteristic pod-like appearance, which contains several seeds wrapped in fleshy pulp.
Tamarind is of course used in many African dishes. But it is also a popular ingredient in the cuisines of Latin America and Asia, where the fruit is used to impart its distinctive sourness to soups and sauces.
Tamarind is a natural laxative, and it is known to provide relief from fever. Some people even gargle a solution made from steeped tamarind in order to ease the discomfort from sore throats.