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Behind the Name of "Tamarind"

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In addition to all the definitions of "tamarind" offered here, it should be noted that the name "Tamarind" is suggestive of fantasy, imagination, and dreaming.

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Poets have used the symbol of the exotic tamarind tree to such effect. In his Sonnet to Science, Edgar Allan Poe speaks of how science has destroyed our fantasies and myths and has become the bane of the poet's heart. He uses the tamarind tree in the final line of his poem:

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SONNET TO SCIENCE
By Edgar Allan Poe

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Science! true daughter of Old Time thou art!
Who alterest all things with thy peering eyes.
Why preyest thou thus upon the poet's heart,
Vulture, whose wings are dull realities?
How should he love thee? or how deem thee wise,
Who wouldst not leave him in his wandering
To seek for treasure in the jewelled skies,
Albeit he soared with an undaunted wing?
Hast thou not dragged Diana from her car?
And driven the Hamadryad from the wood
To seek a shelter in some happier star?
Hast thou not torn the Naiad from her flood,
The Elfin from the green grass, and from me
The summer dream beneath the tamarind tree?

Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) is a pretty tree grown or used for its fruit (also called tamarind), the pulp of which has a pleasing sweet/sour flavor that can be used fresh, dried or preserved. It is native to tropical Africa, but was introduced to India so long ago that it is sometimes reported to be native. It is now widely cultivated in Mexico and can also be found in parts of California.

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You can very occasionally find tamarinds in the 'exotic' produce area of grocery stores, but it is pretty easy to find tamarind paste.