Tamarindus

tamarindus,

I’m reading a book about the Indian caste of untouchables, and (like “Aspirin”) it’s aptly named “Untouchables.”

Because of this book, I’ve been looking up the definition of foods like “jaggery” and “tamarind.”

Here’s part of the entry on tamarind from an online spice encyclopedia:

“In Victorian times, the British in Goa kept a tamarind in one ear when venturing into the native quarter to keep themselves free from harassment because the locals believed the fresh pods were inhabited by malevolent demons.”