Frieda’s features trending tamarind

Los Alamitos, Calif.-based Frieda’s has seen a strong reception for the tamarind it is sourcing from Thailand.

“Retailers caught on to the tamarind trend last year when we started importing directly, and they are now taking advantage of our strong source of supply with our 10-pound pack and our (case of a dozen 12-ounce clamshells),” assistant sales manager Alex Jackson Berkley said in a news release.

Popular in Latin and Asian cooking, the ingredient has drawn broader interest lately.

“Tart tamarind is not only an everyday item in Hispanic market areas,” Berkley said in the release. “Both ‘agua fresca’ and ‘tamarind’ have been trending up steadily in Google Trends, especially during the summer months. This is in line with what we’re seeing with consumer trends on Indian flavors and fruit-infused or flavored water.”

The company markets the fruit in a clamshell that tells consumers how to use it. The fruit has been included in sauces, glazes and cocktails.

Latin American candies, popsicles and the beverage agua de tamarindo also use the fruit, per the release.

Frieda’s suggests retailers merchandise tamarind with items like ginger and turmeric or with tropical fruit.