What is Tamarind & Mint Chutney?
Tamarind and mint chutney is a savory condiment used in many Indian cuisines. The chutney is thick and reddish in color. The flavors are tart, sweet, spicy and minty. This chutney is made with a blend of green chilies, tamarind, mint and cilantro.
What does Tamarind & Mint Chutney Taste Like?
Sweet is one of the five main tastes. It has smooth and round notes in its flavor profile. Sweet is a naturally occurring flavor in many foods, including fruits, berries, winter squashes, sugarcane, and honey. The sweet taste in these foods is due to a higher sugar content. Sweetness is characteristic of desserts and is used as an accent in savory foods.
Sour is one of the five main tastes. It is tart and bright, sometimes with a mouth-puckering quality. Sour is a naturally occurring flavor found in many foods, including citrus, vinegar, various dairy products, and certain fruits. Sour is used to enhance a dish or drink and is used as both a main and complimentary flavor.
Ingredients
Water is a substance and chemical compound made up of hydrogen and oxygen. It is clear, fluid, flavorless and odorless. Water is a necessity in nearly every aspect of life, including cooking, baking and hydrating the human body. Water can be served as a cold beverage, or at any temperature comfortable to the mouth and skin.
The green chili pepper is a spicy vegetable by culinary standards, but botanically it's a fruit. Green chili peppers have thin, green bodies with a tapered bottom. They are 2-3 inches in length with a one inch diameter. Their skin is a medium shade of green and is shiny and very thin. The flesh of the pepper is thin too and contains hot seeds in its center. It is an extra hot chili with a wonderful flavor and used in many dishes to add heat.
Raisins are made from dried grapes. Usually they are made from red grapes and occasionally they are made from green grapes. Raisins are small and roughly the size of a cooked black bean. They are wrinkly and dark purple with a shiny exterior. The texture is chewy, sticky and soft. The flavor is sweet and fruity. Raisins pair well with sweet and savory foods.
Mint is a leafy herb with 13 to 18 species and grows in a bushy mass of thin stalks containing small, oblong green leaves with tapered ends. The leaves have indented lines and are delicate and get sturdier the more mature the plant is. They are highly aromatic and have a flavor that is green, zesty, sweet and ends on a cool note. Mint is used as a tea, sauce and herb to flavor sweet and savory foods.
Garam masala is a well known and popular Indian spice mix, used in a multitude of dishes throughout Indian cuisine and is sometimes found in fusion recipes as well. There are different variations of garam masala, however; some of the common spices include coriander, cumin, cinnamon, ginger and black pepper. Nutmeg, cloves, mace and other spices may be added. The general flavor of garam masala is sweet and a bit spicy with a very warm quality. This powder is brown and typically used in smaller amounts.
Chaat masala is a spice mix from India. It is made from cumin, coriander, and a variety of different spices. Salt is a key ingredient and strong flavor in chaat masala. It is tangy and used to brighten up all sort of dishes from vegetables to meats, and fish to street food. The color this spice mix tends towards a muted brown or golden color.
Salt is a mineral composed mostly of sodium chloride. It is the main flavoring used in food and is naturally occurring in certain foods, such as cheese, beets, meat and celery, plus many others. Salt is white and has finer granules than sugar. Many commercial salts include iodide, while others exclude it. Most salts are white, while some are naturally pale pink with minerals. Salt brings out the flavor of something and can create a tangy mouthfeel, if used in excess.
Cilantro is a leafy herb with a thin green stalk and small, partially fringed green leaves that look similar to a three leaf clover. It has a distinct smell that is similar to a lime and a flavor to match that. In addition, it smells and tastes the same and has a strong flavor with a hint of greens. Due to a genetic trait, some people find that cilantro tastes like soap. This herb is used in many cuisines, particularly from Asia and Central and South America.
