Nước Cốt Me is a tamarind concentrate or paste produced by the Vietnamese company Thanh Bình. The product consists of 99.9 percent tamarind with sodium benzoate added as a preservative. Tamarind makes up almost the entire product, allowing the paste to retain its characteristic intensely sour taste and fruity aroma. It is processed into a thick paste that can be used directly without the need to prepare whole tamarind fruit or remove the seeds. The product is particularly suitable for dishes in which tamarind serves as the main source of acidity. The producer recommends it for preparing canh chua, a traditional Vietnamese sour soup, as well as various other dishes. It can also be used as a base for tamarind sauces, sweet and sour dressings, and seafood dishes. The product is available in 250-gram and 1.2-kilogram packages. The 250-gram version is packed in a plastic container suitable for repeated use after opening. It should be stored in a cool and dry place.