Fresh

Amla

Is Here: 8 Ways To Preserve India's Winter Superfruit

Quick Summary

In India, this short winter leads to a need for preserving foods for consumption later because they will be gone within weeks or just a few months. According to traditional Indian cooking techniques, amla can be preserved using methods such as Murabba, Chyawanprash, drying methods, and pickling.

Deep Dive

Like many seasonal vegetables and fruits, fresh amla signifies that the true onset of winter has occurred in Indian cooking. Fresh amla is sharp in taste and sour in taste, but it is extremely high in all forms of vitamins and minerals. Unlike many other vegetables and fruits available during the winter months, amla rapidly deteriorates and has a much shorter shelf life. Traditional Indian cooking methods focus on preserving amla so that it can be stored for several months to years into the future in one of many different ways, such as making a sweet preserve, medicinal preparations, and/or drying the amla and using it as an herb.

Why Amla Is Preserved in So Many Forms

Preserving amla saves the health benefits of the fruit while altering the sharp taste and high acidity of fresh amla to a more balanced sweet taste or control over the level of bitterness. There are a number of ways to process it and to use it, such as a daily tonic or condiment for a holiday meal.

Amla Murabba for Long-Term Sweet Preservation

Murabba, or syrup-soaked amla, is one of the most popular methods to preserve amla. The amla is either whole or in pieces, cooked gently until the amla is translucent in hot sugar syrup. The process allows for the loss of some "sharp" flavour, while maintaining the structural integrity of the fruit, and if stored correctly, can last for several months on the shelf. People tend to eat the murabba as a sweet in small servings and as a digestive aid.

Chyawanprash as a Concentrated Preserve

Chyawanprash is a concentrated version made with amla, spices, butter, and a sweetener over a long period of time at a low temperature to reduce sugar to a syrup. The method relies on both the sugar content and the amount of heat applied when cooking. The concentrated amla is consumed in small portions and, when taken regularly, has many health benefits.

Amla Juice for Short-Term Storage

Fresh amla juice can be prepared by juicing the fruit, diluting it with water or sweetening it, and keeping it either frozen or refrigerated. Although this is not as long-lasting as other options, frozen juice can still be used for some time without losing much of its quality. The benefit of freezing is that it allows you to easily use the fresh juice every day without compromising its freshness.

Sun-Dried Amla for Minimal Processing

Dried amla is produced by cutting thin slices of amla and leaving them in the sun until they are no longer wet. By reducing moisture, dry amla slows down spoilage; therefore, dry amla can be stored in airtight containers for later use, such as adding it back to water, grinding to a powder, or making tea. Dried amla offers the best flexibility in terms of preserving the fruit.

Salt-Preserved Amla for Savoury Uses

Salt, as a preservative, can remove moisture from amla and prevent the growth of microorganisms. This preservation method is very common in chutneys and savoury recipes, as it helps to retain the sharp flavour and mellow the heady qualities of amla.

Pickled Amla in Oil or Brine

Pickling uses a combination of salt, oil, and spices to preserve amla. The addition of oil to the pickle enhances the preservation properties of the mixture by preventing air from coming into contact with the amla. Oil-pickled amla can be used year-round because of its extended shelf life.

Frozen Amla for Maximum Freshness

Blanching fresh or chopped amla and then freezing it is the best method for retaining the texture and nutrients of amla; however, it does require a freezer to store and a consistent power supply to keep it frozen.

Amla Powder for Everyday Convenience

The dried amla fruit has been ground into powder and is best stored in an airtight container to maintain the maximum shelf life. Since amla powder can be used as a beverage, as an ingredient while cooking, or as a dietary supplement, it allows for easy storage options while providing both nutrition and convenience.

When considering how to preserve amla, one has different options depending on their intended use. A person may choose to make murabba, which is a longer-term and more traditional way of preserving amla, or chyawanprash, which is more suited to a modern lifestyle for daily nutrition, or dried amla powder, which provides maximum flexibility in how it is used and requires less space in the fridge or pantry.