Tamarind is a hardwood tree that produces bean like pods filled with seeds surrounded by a sweet and sour pulp. These beans are what we use and are known as Sweet tamarind. Tamarind is known for its sweet and sour flavour and has many uses. It is used to make a tangy sauce and in cooking and household purposes. The famous South Indian dish called Sambar holds tamarind as a prime ingredient. Store the whole pods in a cool dark place at room termperature.