By S. OLANREWAJU DISU.
Year-in, year-out, the arrival of “awin”, whose English name is “velvet tamarind” is a welcome sign that we are in the dry season and nature has sent down a thirst-quencher. “Awin” or velvet tamarind, is botanically known as “Dialium guineense, Family Leguminosae-Caesalpinioideae.”
Year-in, year-out, the arrival of “awin”, whose English name is “velvet tamarind” is a welcome sign that we are in the dry season and nature has sent down a thirst-quencher. “Awin” or velvet tamarind, is botanically known as “Dialium guineense, Family Leguminosae-Caesalpinioideae.”
Generally, the fruit is brown to black, ovoid to about 2.5cm in diameter with a velvety skin from which the English name arises. The seeds are embedded in orange-red pulp which is sweetly acid and edible. School-children, and adults too, cherish the taste. When in season, market-traders sometimes shift its sale from the market to school-gates!
In addition to being a thirst-quencher, the pulp is also macerated with water to make a refreshing fruit-drink. The fruit is reported to have a good molluscidal activity on the fresh water snail, “Bulinus globulus.”
Culturally, the Yoruba’s invoke the “awin” tree’s name to acquire money quickly! “Awin” producing trees are found in the Badagry Area of Lagos State.
Photo’s:
Photo’s:
“AWIN” { Velvet Tamarind } fruits on sale at “Iyana-Ejigbo” Market in Lagos .
I love this fruit.
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