The Velvet Tamarind tree actually grows wild in some parts of Ghana. They can be found in the forests on the hillsides of the Akwapim mountains, and provides the special pestles sold in that area for the pounding of our universally acclaimed dish - fufu......
Anyway, the fruit of this tree are small berries with a velvety black shell and a pinkish pulp and black seed. It is actually tedious to unshell and eat, but if you have time to sit and unshell some ten cups of it, you can make a nice thick refreshing drink. Just soak in hot water and sieve to remove seeds, add some fresh ginger juice and honey to taste.
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