You had definitely had sweet tamarind in meals aboard Jet Airways flights, domestic and international, before the massive collapse of the airline. Serving sweet tamarind candies along with inflight meals to all passengers, regardless of travel class and fare type, had been a holy practice for more than 25 years for the airline until 2019. Many travelers still wonder why they were served with those tongue-tantalizing candies during their flights from USA to India and while traveling other routes in the airline’s network.
Jet Airways has resurrected from its fall and is all set to take off for commercial operations starting with daily service between Delhi and Mumbai in the third quarter of this calendar year, as the airline has got security clearance from the government and approval from the Directorate General Civil Aviation. Hope those sweet tamarind candies will be back on board too.
Well, it is known that tamarind is full of good health properties. It helps prevent digestive problems and throat infections. It benefits those having stomach discomfort. It works also as an antidote to heat stroke. Moreover, tamarind is a good source of vitamin C. Tamarind intake curbs airsickness or jet lag during long-haul flights, according to leading health experts. Possibly, these reasons were good enough for Jet Airways to have flavored inflight meals with sweet tamarind candies.
Motion sickness is common to some travelers during takeoffs and landings. It causes a sinking feeling in the stomach. Prevention of motion sickness is among the health benefits of tamarind intake. In addition to this, tamarind reduces nausea, which is also a common symptom of inflight sickness.
Why sweet tamarind candies are served on Jet Airways flights has another strong reason. Tamarind helps prevent retraction that is bulging of ear drums. Some travelers experience it during takeoff or landing. Difference in air pressure levels outside the ear and the middle ear cavity causes bulging of ear drums, at changing altitudes during a flight. Sweet tamarind candies trigger salivation, thereby causing frequent swallowing – which helps equalize air pressure levels between the outside ear and the middle ear cavity to prevent retraction.
Some inflight chefs opine that passengers of Jet Airways flights were deliberately given sweet tamarind candies instead of mouth fresheners because tamarind is cheaper than any good quality mouth freshener cost wise. Since travelers began to like the tangy and sweet flavor of tamarind candies, it was made an integral part of all meals on Jet Airways flights.
Sweet tamarind candies were previously given to travelers on Air India flights and other airlines in India.
