Amchur

(am-CHOOR)

With its tan, sandy appearance, Amchur (or amchoor) powder looks unassuming. But breathe deeply, and then have a taste. This tart spice reveals sweet and sour complexities, juicy and fresh with the flavor of tropical mango and citrus undertones reminiscent of sour orange. There are floral top notes and lingering just in the back, almost out of sight, is the smallest hint of pepper. The product of unripened mangoes that have been dried and ground into a powder, Amchur is a good source of calcium and potassium and is naturally gluten free.

Amchur powder retains many of the nutrients that are found in unpowdered mangoes. Unripe mangoes have a higher concentration of vitamin C than they do of vitamin A; when the fruit ripens these nutritional values flip, and the ripe fruit has more vitamin A. Because of this high concentration of vitamin C, Amchur has traditionally been used to treat the deficiency disease scurvy, and was most often put to this use during winter months, when fresh fruit was unavailable. It was usually mixed into water in a 2:1 ratio with jaggery, a form of unrefined cane sugar juice, and taken at night.

Tips From Our Kitchen

Use Amchur powder wherever you need a tart, citric boost. This fruity, sour powder would be wonderful on food like chicken or fish, so add it to the breading for our Lemon Parmesan Fish and Asparagus or add half a teaspoon to the spice mix for Chicken Biryani. Amchur powder is a staple of Indian cuisine so toss over some chickpeas, along with earthy turmeric and some black pepper, and roast for a simple chana. Add to feta whipped with olive oil for a tart vegetable dip. Stir it into simmered onions and fresh mango for a tart boost to mango chutney. Amchur is not an aggressive spice so when making soups or curries add it toward the end of cooking time to preserve its flavor. Add to tomato soup or potato pancakes that are seasoned with coriander and cumin.

Use one teaspoon of Amchur for three tablespoons of lemon juice in marinades for chicken, fish, seafood or vegetables.

Our Amchur powder is cultivated in India.

This product is certified kosher.

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