Tamarind is also very popular in Mexico where it is used in soft drinks, ice cream and other things.  The 'fruit' is pulped and sweetened and sold all over.  You bite of a corner of a small plastic pouch, and squeeze/suck out the mash.  Check out any Mexican food market and you will be able to find it in its natural form and, perhaps. in some of the confections that are made from it.  It can be an acquired taste, as it is very 'different' from anything we gringos are used to tasting.  During the 10 years or so I lived in Mexico I developed a taste for it.  Bre'nainn Mac Giolla Pha'draig