Tamarind Gum, also known as Tamarind Kernel Powder (TKP) is extracted from the seeds of the Tamarind Tree, Tamarindus indica. The Tamarind tree grows mainly in South India, parts of Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand. India is however, by far, the largest producer of Tamarind Gum.

The Tamarind tree is a large evergreen and grows to a height of 4 to 6 metres and bears fruit after 12 - 13 years. The seeds are contained in a pod, about 10 - 15 cms long. The pods contain about 55% pulp, 34% seed and 11% shell and fiber. The pulp is used as a food ingredient. The seeds are about 1.6 cms long, about 1.2 - 1.6 cms in width and about 0.7 cms thick.

The seeds are processed in to gum by seed selection, seed coat removal, separation, hammer milling, grinding and sieving.

Tamarind gum is a polysachharide composed of glucosyl : xylosyl : galactosyl in the ratio of 3:2:1

Tamarind gum is hot water soluble. It requires heating to fully solubilise. Tamarind gums are non Newtonian and yield higher viscosities than most starches at equivalent concentrations.

Tamarind gum is mostly used after modification / derivation in textile printing applications as a thickener of dye pastes. Some Tamarind gum is also used a sizing agent and highly purified Tamarind gum is used as a food additive in some Asian countries.