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All About Amchur | Know Your Spice Amchoor or Mango Powder (Mangifera indica)

All About Amchur | Know Your Spice Amchoor or Mango Powder (Mangifera indica)

All About Amchur | Know Your Spice Amchoor or Mango Powder (Mangifera indica)

All About Amchur | Know Your Spice Dry Mango Powder (Mangifera indica)

Amchur is also known as Amchoor, Aamchoor, Dried Mango Powder (Mangifera indica)

All About Amchur | Know Your Spice Amchur or Dry Mango Powder (Mangifera indica)

Amchoor or dried mango powder is extensively used in many of the Indian cooking. It is very popular in India and is used in several asian cuisines.

Amchur is prepared by drying mangoes and grinding them into powder (recipe for homemade amchur is below).

Amchoor powder offers a very high nutritional value, as it contains many nutrients including Vitamins A, E and C, and antioxidants.

This red spice information card below gives you a snapshot of Amchur spice you’ll read about. Do share this spice card with your friends & spread the knowledge.

What exactly is a Amchur?

Some alternate names of Amchur are Mango Powder, Aamchur, Mango Pulver (German), Poudre sèche la mangue (French), De mango polvo seco (Spanish)

All about amchur | know your spice amchoor or mango powder (mangifera indica)

Amchoor or aamchur is also referred to as mango powder or dried mango powder.

It is a fruity spice powder made from dried unripe green mangoes and is used as a citrusy seasoning.

To make amchoor, early-season mangoes are harvested while still green and unripe. Once harvested, the green mangoes are peeled, thinly sliced, and sun-dried.

They are then ground into fine powder which is a plain beige coloured fruity sour Indian spice.

Amchoor is a predominant flavoring agent used in Indian & Pakistani dishes where it is used to add a sour tangy fruity flavor without moisture.

Amchur retains a distinct mango flavour, which adds something unexpected to dishes where you wouldn’t expect a hit of tropical fruit.

What is the botanical description of Amchur?

Botanical information of Dried Mango Powder or Amchur

Botanics – Aamchur comes from unripe fruit of the Mango (Mangifera indica) tree, al­ways dried and most­ly ground.

They are members of the Anacardiaceae or cashew family.

These trees are native to South and South­east Asia. Wild mango trees are known only from North-East India and Burma, and so it appears plaus­ible that the species evolved there.

Amchoor is a bit of genius in Indian cuisine and is made only in India.

Mango (Mangifera indica L. Anacardiaceae) is the most widely cultivated fruit crop of India and reportedly there are over 1,000 varieties found in the country.

Mango is one of the most popular tropical fruits and enjoyed by everyone who ever had the opportunity to eat a fresh, ripe mango in the production countries.

What is the nutrition value of Amchur?

Know the nutritional value of Dry Mango Powder or Amchoor

Dried mango is considered to be the most beloved dried fruit but should be consumed in moderate amounts.

  • Manganese, Mn 10 mg (434.78%)
  • Copper, Cu 0.3 mg (33.33%)
  • Sodium, Na 162 mg (10.80%)
  • Carbohydrate 78.58 g (60.45%)
  • Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) 42.3 mg (47.00%)
  • Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) 4.02 mg (26.80%)
  • Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) 0.334 mg (25.69%)
  • Vitamin B9 (Folate) 68 µg (17.00%)
  • Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 2 mg (12.50%)
  • Vitamin K (phylloquinone) 13.2 µg (11.00%)

What is the chemical composition of Amchur?

Know and understand about chemical composition of Dry Mango Powder or Amchoor.

Citric acid and related compounds are responsible for the amchur sour taste.

Several terpenes (ocimene, myrcene, limonene), aldehydes and esters have been found in the dried unripe fruits. Further­more, unripe mangoes contain proteolytic enzymes.

It contains many nutrients including vitamin A, E and C, and antioxidants, and is used in preparing many Ayurvedic medicines. Amchur is also rich in iron.

What is the history of Amchur?

Know more about the origins & the story behind Dry Mango Powder or Amchoor or Mango Powder

The mango tree is native to the India-Burma-Malaysia region and is one of the oldest cultivated fruits.

In India it has grown for over 4,000 years; the various uses of the fruit are probably ancient.

In Hinduism and Buddhism, mango tree is highly revered as a tree having many granting abilities.

Hindu mythology and various rituals followed in the religion show how a mango tree holds special position amongst the Hindus.

Lord Buddha was presented a mango grove.

History says that Mogul King Akbar (1556-1605) once set a campaign for planting over 1,00,000 mango trees as part of the promotion of mango cultivation in India.

After the European explorations during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, mango spread to all parts of the tropical and subtropical world, especially Africa.

What does Amchur taste like?

What is the the taste of Amchur?

Mango powder has a subtle, resin-like taste. It is tangy or sour yet sweet to taste. It should be used when only a hint of tartness is desired.


Mangoes for homemade amchur


What are the uses of Amchur?

Know more about how to use Amchur or Dry Mango Powder.
  • Dried mango powder is a souring agent so it can be used to flavor braises, stews, soups and vegetable dishes.
  • Amchoor also tenderizes meat so you can add it to your favourite marinades like for chicken tikka.
  • Aamchur is commonly used in Northern Indian dishes. It used as a citric flavouring for curries, soups, chutneys, marinades and as a condiment.
  • It is commonly used in dals to counter the sweet taste.
  • Add it to your potato and cauliflower curry.
  • It is an essential ingredient for making chana or chickpeas curry.
  • It’s one of the spices used to make pav bhaji masala / chaat masala.
  • Amchoor is nice sprinkled on fresh fruit.
  • You can use dry mango powder in your chutneys, pickles & even chaas.

How long does Amchur last?

Learn about how long does Dry Mango Powder last in storage.

You can store the amchoor for up to a year in an airtight container – ideally in a cool, dark place.

How do I store Amchur?

Learn about how to store Amchur or Dried Mango Powder.

For the best results, keep it stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator drawer as usual. You can also store it as you would other spices in a dark, dry space away from heat & moisture.

Like all sugary powders, amchoor tends to clump. For this reason it’s best to get it into a airtight container as soon as you buy it.

Is there a substitute for Amchur?

Learn how to use a substitute for Dry Mango Powder or Amchoor if unavailable

If you need to replace amchur powder in cooking then your best options are lemon or lime juice, tamarind, citric acid, vinegar, anardana, loomi, or sumac.

Each of these ingredients is useful for adding a citrusy, tart flavor to meals.

Remember to use substitutes in small amounts and test the food if you can before adding more. This step will reduce the chance of ruining the dish with unpleasant, awkward flavors.

Where do I buy Amchur from?

Where to Locate Amchur in the Grocery Store?

You can buy amchur in most South Asian grocery stores and online.

If you want to make your own, look for small, unripe green mangoes in Asian groceries. You can use a food dehydrator to dry these slices, and then blend them to a fine powder in a spice blender. 

What are the health benefits of Amchur or Dry Mango Powder?

Learn about health benefits of Amchur or Mangifera indica

Health Benefits of Amchur or Benefits of Amchoor

  • Health Benefits of Aamchur in Improving Eyesight – Amchur powder contains essential elements like vitamin A and vitamin E, which are important for your eyes.
  • Health Benefits of Dry Mango Powder for Heart – Regular consumption of amchur powder may help in taking care of your heart. It may help to improve cardiovascular health.
  • Health Benefits of Amchoor for Digestion – Amchur powder improves your digestion and helps to fight acidity. Mango contains powerful antioxidants, which ensures good bowel movement and helps combat constipation and flatulence.
  • Health Benefits of Dry Mango Powder as a Scurvy Treatment – Scurvy is a medical condition that is caused due to deficiency of vitamin C in our body. A combination of amchur and jaggery is very effective in treating scurvy.
  • Health Benefits of Amchoor for Weight Loss Amchur is packed antioxidant that helps in boosting your metabolism and helps you to stay in shape.
  • Health Benefits of Aamchur as an Acne Treatment – Amchur powder helps in removing acne and can be used as a mild scrub for your skin. It makes your skin clean, clear and supple.
  • Health Benefits of Dry Mango Powder as a Detoxifying Agent – Amchoor helps the body in eliminating harmful toxins and detoxifies it, all thanks to the presence of vitamin A, C, D and B6. Hence, amchoor is used in ayurvedic medicines to treat diarrhea, dysentery and urinary tract infections.

All About Amchur | Know Your Spice Amchoor or Mango Powder (Mangifera indica)
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Amchur | Homemade Amchur Recipe | Dry Mango Powder

Amchur | Homemade Amchur Recipe | Dry Mango Powder - Amchur or Amchoor is one of the most important ingredient in North Indian cuisines. It is added to many popular recipes like Punjabi chole, rajma, aloo gobi, chaat masala etc. Here is the recipe for homemade amchur powder by Sun drying process.
Cuisine Indian, Punjabi
Keyword Amchoor, Amchur, Dry Mango Powder, Homemade Amchur Recipe, Make Amchur at Home
Prep Time 5 days 15 minutes
Total Time 5 days 15 minutes
Servings 20 Servings
Calories 10kcal
Author Sumit Malhotra

Ingredients

  • 1 kilogram Green Unripe Mangoes 5 Number
  • Sunlight

Instructions

  • Wash and dry the mangoes and peel them.
  • Peel the mangoes into thin strips or ribbons using a peeler.
  • Using the same peeler, peel the mangoes into thin strips or chips.
  • Spread the mangoes in a large plate or prat.
  • Cover well with a dry muslin cloth and keep it in the sun to dry for 6 to 7 hours.
  • Next day, remove the muslin cloth, toss the mango chips
  • Cover them again with a muslin cloth, and keep it in the sun to dry for 6 to 7 hours.
  • Repeat this process for 5 days.
  • Mango slices will turn crisp.
  • Blend it in a spice grinder till smooth.
  • Store it in an airtight container and use as per the recipe.

Tools & Equipment Used For This Recipe

The links below the image lead to product links on Amazon.in & Amazon.com respectively

FInally! To Sum It Up

All About Amchur (Mangifera indica) | Benefits of Amchur

All about amchur | know your spice amchoor or mango powder (mangifera indica)

All About Amchur | Know Your Spice Amchur or Dry Mango Powder (Mangifera indica)

Amchoor or dried mango powder is extensively used in many of the Indian cooking. It is very popular in India and is used in several asian cuisines.

Aamchur is prepared by drying mangoes and grinding them into powder (recipe for homemade amchur is below).

Amchoor powder offers a very high nutritional value, as it contains many nutrients including Vitamins A, E and C, and antioxidants.

This red spice information card above gives you a snapshot of Amchur spice you’ll read about. Do share this spice card with your friends & spread the knowledge.

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