I think it resembles apple juice in flavor. It’s very good, IMO. I did a search for it once when I first discovered it (also wondering “What the heck is a tamarind???”) and if I remember right it is a fruit from India, and I think Mexico, that grows in pods.
Tamarind is a plant in the legume family. It comes from India (the word is Arabic, meaning “dates from India”). It is an essential component of Indian and Asian cuisine.
While it might not be so tasty in candy form, the tamarind based Philippine Sabaw ng Sinigang soup is pure ambrosia.
Osip, please email me and I’ll be happy to send you a packet of the soup mix. Imagine hot and sour soup perfectly crossbred with Vietnamese Phô. It is heaven in a bowl.