Hortiforum

General Info – Spanish Tamarind, Tamarind-of-the-Indies, Sinara, Mviru, Voa Vanga

The Spanish Tamarind is a peculiar yet intriguing fruit, largely unknown outside of its native Africa and with limited cultivation elsewhere. The fruit is relatively small, about the size of a Lime when fully mature. Its flavour has been variously compared to Chocolate, Tamarind, Apple, and Marula, possibly reflecting variations among different seedlings or subpopulations. When ripe, the Spanish Tamarind has a smooth green skin and a sweet, mildly tangy apple-like flavour. However, like its relative, the Borojo, it turns soft and brown when overripe/dried and develops a more tamarind-like taste. The soft, creamy flesh is sweet and tangy, making it enjoyable fresh, though it is also commonly used in drinks.
The Spanish Tamarind is native to much of the African continent, found across most regions south of the semi-arid Sahel. It naturally occurs in lowland riverine forests and savannah woodlands. The plants are highly adaptable to different soil types and are reasonably drought-tolerant, enduring seasonal dry periods within their native range. They thrive in well-drained, acidic to neutral soils with ample rainfall. However, Spanish Tamarind is frost-sensitive and requires full sun exposure to flourish, so it should be planted in areas with as much sunlight as possible. Belonging to the Rubiaceae family (the Coffee family), other edible species in this family include Nauclea, Borojo, and Blackberry Jam Fruit.
The Spanish Tamarind grows as a shrub or small tree, with reported heights ranging from 2 to 15 metres, though it typically reaches around 5 metres in cultivation. The plant has shiny, pale green leaves arranged oppositely along the stems, and small white flowers that appear in clusters. While some describe the flowers as having an unpleasant odour, others find them to have a sweet, pleasant fragrance. Given the mixed reports on its scent, it may be best to avoid planting the tree along pathways or in areas frequently visited.

Plant Profile/Properties