Native to tropical Africa, the tamarind is now grown in warm regions throughout the world. The bean-like fruit has a sweet, tangy pulp that is a key ingredient in many types of food and beverages including pad thai, Worcestershire sauce, and types of aqua fresca. Tamarind wood is strong and is used to make furniture. Here in South Florida, tamarind trees are most often grown as ornamental trees that cast light shade. They are durable, drought tolerant trees that can become very large.