For the second consecutive year, renowned spice brand McCormick has crowned a Flavor of the Year. After declaring 2023 the year of Vietnamese x Cajun style seasoning, McCormick has officially designated 2024 as the year of tamarind! Originating from the tamarind tree and native to Africa, India, and the Middle East, this spice has contributed its acidic, tangy-sweet essence to Latin, Caribbean, Mexican, and Indian cuisines for centuries.
To honor tamarind’s Flavor of the Year (FoY) status, McCormick introduces a new Tamarind & Pasilla Chile Seasoning blend, available online. Described as “a tangy, Mexican-inspired seasoning blend combining tamarind flavor with the mild heat of pasilla chiles and savory notes of paprika, coriander, and onion,” this blend can add a surprising twist to your next margarita rim and enhance salsas and other dips.
To commemorate the year of tamarind, McCormick collaborates with the global restaurant chain Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer, introducing limited-edition, tamarind-infused menu items such as a chicken burger and French fries, available from February 2024. Hadar Cohen Aviram, Executive Chef and Senior Manager, Culinary Development, US Consumer at McCormick, expresses excitement, stating, “This year, we’re thrilled for people to experience the taste, versatility, and tang of tamarind.”
Tips on Cooking With Tamarind: While tamarind is familiar to many home cooks, not everyone knows how to use it effectively. Here are a few tips on cooking with tamarind:
- Meat Tenderizer: Due to its slightly sweet, tangy flavor, tamarind works well as a meat tenderizer. Consider trying it in recipes such as Grilled Tamarind Chicken Thighs.
- Pairing with Steak: As a primary ingredient in Worcestershire sauce, tamarind pairs beautifully with steak. Try it in recipes like Tamarind-Glazed Flank Steak with Carrots & Dates.
- Enhancing Pad Thai: If you’re making pad Thai at home, don’t forget to include tamarind in your grocery list. Its unique depth of flavor elevates dishes like Chicken Pad Thai to new heights.
