Agua de Tamarindo or tamarind water, is a delicious agua fresca that is sweet, tart, and refreshing.

It's really simple to make and is really popular in Latin America.

To make this your gonna need:

Tamarind pods
Water
Sugar
Clean hands

Since this agua fresca is super easy. I felt I didn't need a actually recipe. It's up to you really up to you.

If your having trouble finding the pods head to your local Mexican/Latin food store or shop online.

Step 1: Cleaning the Pods

First step is cleaning the pods. It does take a little time and patience because the shell is a little brittle.

Here's a small tip that makes it go a little quicker.

When your at the store picking them out. Make sure to pick out the fresh ones, they peel alot easier. How can you tell there fresh? Break a little piece of the shell, the flesh should look fresh and plump.

The ones I have in the pot weren't fresh. There not bad but as you can see its alot harder to peel. Also you can soak the pods if you really want to take it all off.

Step 2: Boil and Steep Your Tamarind

After you remove the shell your gonna notice the veins that hold all the seeds together. Pull whatever you can off if you like but it's not to important because its all coming off eventually.

Grab your seeds and throw them in your favorite pot and fill it with water, bring it to a boil. Let it boil for around 10 to 15 mins.

Next pour everything into a bowl and let it steep and cool down completely, about 20-30 mins.

Step 3: Remove the Seeds and Veins

Now that your seeds are cool, wash your hands and get in there!

Squeeze and remove the seed from the flesh until every bit is removed. It should slide right off and soon as you apply pressure.

Now you should have a big bowl of concentrate, your almost done.

Step 4: Last Step!

Finally grab your favorite pitcher and fill it about 3/4 of the way with water. Add your tamarind concentrate the rest of the way. Add sugar to taste give a good stir and pour up a cold glass and enjoy.