Tamarind has been described as one of the common and most important trees of India. India is the world's top producer, exporting several thousands of tonnes of seed, seed powder and fruit pulp each year. Tamarind trees are often grown in gardens and along roadsides and are cultivated commercially in plantations. India is the only producer of tamarind on a commercial scale. A large part of India's production of tamarind is exported to West Asia, Europe and America, where it is used for food specialties like Worcestershire sauce. This spice also comes in the forms of pulp and juice concentrates which mainly go into the preparation of cool drinks, seafoods and a range of sophisticated cuisine. Tamarind is native to tropical America and this plant is widely used throughout Asia and it has acquired the common name asam, meaning, simply, 'acid' as they are used as acid flavours in the food Industry. The many tamarind cultivars are divided into two basic categories: sweet and sour. India mainly grows sour cultivars in orchard-like plantations.Tamarind is widely used thorough the world. Tamarind pulp concentrate is widely used in Indian and Middle Eastern cooking.