Two of the signature flavors of many Asian cuisines are tamarind and ginger. These two products add a unique and unmistakable taste to many well-known Asian dishes loved by people all around the world.

However, these ingredients provide their most intensive signature flavors when farmed and shipped with the correct processing and handling methods. Finding these ingredients in your local grocery store may sometimes be a problem in your region.

Tamarind and Ginger Farming, Handling and Exporting

Tamarind and ginger are generally considered specialty items handled only by experienced exporters. They’ve created partnerships with trusted suppliers and can reliably provide you with the ripest and most flavorful tamarind and ginger.

We’ll explore the best practices in tamarind and ginger farming, packing and exportation and tell you about a Thai fresh produce distributor that has years of experience in exporting both tamarind and ginger.

Tamarind

Tamarind is a product commonly used in Asian curries, soups, and sauces. It’s also one of the unmistakable flavors of Indian chutney. The taste of tamarind is sour, sweet, and acidic.

When measuring tamarind production by country, India is number one. However, Thailand is gaining ground and is also becoming one of the world’s major producers and exporters of tamarind.

Although tamarind trees can survive in any climate, they thrive in drier tropical climates with an average rainfall of 5 to 15 centimeters, which is the average climate of much of Thailand.

Tamarind trees typically reach maturity during the hottest season of the year. In Thailand, this is between the months of March and April. The branches become heavy with ripe, long pods that have turned brown and appear slightly curved. This is the ideal stage of ripeness to harvest the pods. When they become overripe, they turn lighter in color and can split open, damaging the seeds.

The pods are almost always harvested by hand to ensure the pods remain whole and can protect the seeds during storage and shipping. After harvesting, they are washed in clean water to remove dirt and debris and allowed to air-dry completely. The pods are then stored in a cool, dry place before being packed for shipment in clean, sturdy containers that allow for airflow.

Ginger

Ginger is a flowering plant that has become famous worldwide for its aromatic roots or underground stems, which are used as a spice in many cuisines and as a folk medicine. Ginger originated in Southest Asia, and Thailand is ranked number five in the world as a leading ginger exporter.

Ginger plants take eight to ten months to fully mature. The leaves will dry out and start to turn yellow when the plant is mature.

Harvesting ginger involves pruning and digging up the entire plant and isolating the rhizomes (underground stems or roots). The stems appear as a clump with tendrils growing downwards off of them. The tendrils are cut off, and the stems are cleaned and washed to remove dirt and debris. The clean ginger is then peeled, removing the outer skin, and chopped into smaller pieces.

The next step is to reduce the moisture content by drying. The dried ginger is then packed into air and moisture-proof containers or vacuum-sealed bags to prevent contamination during shipment.

Tamarind and Ginger Exportation from Thailand

Thai fresh produce shipping companies must satisfy all of Thailand’s regulations for exporting and distributing their fresh products. They also must comply with the import laws of the destination countries.

This means that the most experienced and trusted exporters maintain several certifications and export licenses, enabling them to supply their products worldwide. These certifications ensure that their products are safe for consumers.

Fresh Point has been a trusted and experienced Thai exotic fruits and vegetables supplier for almost 30 years. Tamarind and ginger are just two of the more than 60 varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables that we export to quality groceries and chain supermarkets around the globe.

Our valued customers rely on our superior products and dependable service to provide tamarind and ginger to their loyal customers. Order high-quality tamarind and ginger from Thailand for immediate shipment. Partner with Fresh Point today.