There’s a tiny black fruit that’s been sold across African markets for generations. It is velvet tamarind — known locally in Nigeria as icheku, awin, or tsamiyar kurmi. It is used in traditional medicine and for nutrition. It’s rich in iron, soothes sore throats, supports digestion, and yet... most people completely overlook it.
What Is Velvet Tamarind?
Velvet tamarind comes from the tree Dialium guineense, found widely across West Africa. The fruit is small, round, and black with a soft velvet-like exterior. Crack it open, and inside you’ll find a thin layer of orange-brown pulp wrapped around a shiny seed.
The pulp is tangy and sweet like baobab pulp, and it’s eaten by sucking or chewing the fruit until the flavor fades — then spitting out the seed.
For many, it’s a nostalgic treat. But it’s also a deeply nourishing snack, full of benefits people are only beginning to appreciate again.
Velvet tamarind image from facebook.com/iloveafricamedia
A Natural Way to Boost Iron and Prevent Fatigue
If you often feel tired, lightheaded, or low on energy — your body might be craving iron.
Velvet tamarind is naturally rich in iron, an essential mineral that helps your body produce red blood cells and carry oxygen. It also contains vitamin C, which helps your body absorb iron more effectively.
Traditionally, it’s used to:
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Support blood health in menstruating women
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Help children and adults recovering from blood loss or illness
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Boost energy and prevent fatigue naturally
This fruit offers a food-based way to keep your blood strong — and your body thriving.
Soothes Sore Throats and Mouth Irritations
Got a scratchy throat or painful cough? Velvet tamarind has long been used as a natural remedy for sore throats.
Many people simply chew or suck the pulp slowly, allowing its slightly astringent and antimicrobial compounds to coat the throat and reduce irritation.
It’s also:
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Used for mild mouth infections or ulcers
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Known to freshen breath and calm inflammation
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A simple, travel-friendly remedy you don’t need to prepare — just pop it in your mouth
Velvet tamarind image from eBay
Great for Digestion and Gut Health
This little fruit may be small, but it’s packed with fiber.
It’s traditionally used to:
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Relieve constipation
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Support regular bowel movements
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Soothe bloating or digestive discomfort
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Stimulate the appetite (especially in children)
The pulp helps the body clear out waste gently and efficiently, making it a perfect snack for both kids and adults.
Other Benefits You Might Be Missing
Velvet tamarind does more than support the blood and gut. It also:
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Contains antioxidants that protect your cells from damage
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May help balance blood sugar
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Is used to reduce internal heat in traditional medicine (especially during dry season)
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Can promote satiety and support weight management
And because it’s seasonal and local, it’s fresh, affordable, and less processed than imported “superfoods.”
How to Eat It
Simple is best:
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Crack the black shell between your teeth or fingers.
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Pop the orange pulp in your mouth.
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Chew or suck the fruit until the flavor fades.
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Spit out the seed.
You can also:
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Soak the pulp in water to make a refreshing drink
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Blend it with ginger or hibiscus (zobo) for added wellness
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Add to traditional drinks for a flavor and nutrient boost
Some households even dry and grind the pulp to preserve it or use it in herbal mixtures.
Why It’s Still So Overlooked
Velvet tamarind is often seen as “street food” — too small, too ordinary, or too local to be taken seriously. But that’s exactly why it matters. These are the foods that have sustained communities for generations, offering natural nourishment without the hype.
The fruit does more than we realise. It is both a food and a functional medicine. Whether you need more iron, a natural remedy for a sore throat, or a fiber-rich snack that supports your digestion, velvet tamarind has you covered.
References:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S088915751400012X?utm
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/287611955_Proximate_composition_and_micronutrient_potentials_of_Dialium_guineense_wild_growing_in_Benin
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Exv_rxFwH3mETGPtWUIQLRvCS6UDNDng/view?usp=sharing
https://www.netjournals.org/pdf/PPR/2013/1/13-014.pdf?utm_
https://systems.enpress-publisher.com/index.php/TH/article/viewFile/8190/4830?utm_
https://africanjournalofbiomedicalresearch.com/index.php/AJBR/article/view/503