How do you start your day? At our house, we have this Amla juice, the first thing in the morning. Rich in nutrients, this Indian gooseberry is a superfood that has not yet gained its deserving glory, globally. In this post, I will share how to make Amla juice at home.
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In my mom’s front yard, there used to be a gorgeous Indian Gooseberry tree. We have enjoyed hundreds of fruits from it. The tree is not there anymore but we will always cherish those memories.
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What is Amla?
Amla or Amlaka is Indian gooseberry. This is not to be confused with gooseberry, whose scientific name is Physalis peruviana.
Often referred to as cape gooseberry, a gooseberry is orangish yellow whereas the Indian gooseberry is a pale green.
Indian gooseberry goes by many names. In Tamil, we call it Nellika or Nellikai. Its Telugu name is Usirikai. This wonder fruit is in season between September and December.
Benefits of Amla
I cannot stop raving about the benefits of this small fruit. Here are some pointers-
- Promotes hair growth and helps maintain healthy hair.
- Enhances liver health and prevents liver diseases.
- Prevents cancer.
- Helps build immunity since it is rich in Vitamin C.
- Aids in regulating blood sugar levels.
- Regulates cholesterol.
- Has anti-ageing properties.
- Useful in maintaining glowing and healthy skin.
How to eat?
In order to reap its complete benefits, you should eat one gooseberry everyday on empty stomach.
The moment you expose this fruit to heat, it loses all its nutrients, particularly vitamin C. So, the ideal way to eat it is in the uncooked form.
Best time to eat
It goes without saying that this is best eaten early in the morning. Please note that since it is a vitamin C rich fruit, this may cause acid reflux in some people.
Kindly test for a few days and decide whether to continue or not.
Different ways to include
Indian gooseberry is not a lesser known fruit in India. We make pickles, chutney, rice and even Raita with this. But the flipside to all these recipes is that we cook the fruit. This means we lose all nutrients.
This is the reason why the best way to enjoy all its nutrition benefits is to eat it raw or in the form of juice.
How to choose?
Look for fruits that are pale green and firm. Avoid those that have brown or black spots on them. I prefer picking fruits that are smaller.
If you live in the US or Europe, you may not be able to source fresh Indian gooseberries easily. In this case, look for it in the frozen section at the Indian store.
How many to eat in a day?
You can eat 1 to 2 gooseberries in a day. However, please note that any thing, no matter how good, should only be enjoyed in moderation. This applies to these too.
Side effects
While this fruit does not have any fatal side effects, kindly check with your doctor before consuming it if you
- are pregnant
- have low blood sugar levels
- suffer from acid reflux
Variations
- Make it sweet– simply combine chopped amla and water in a blender and blend to smooth. Stir in some honey and enjoy.
- Use other herbs like mint or basil to give this juice a refreshing twist.
- Add whisked low fat yogurt instead of water during the summers for a cooling morning drink.
- Tip in 1 tsp chopped ginger and 1/2 tsp turmeric powder to make it more nutrient dense.
Recipe Notes
- Use a sharp knife to chop the gooseberry. Try to slice as much flesh as possible.
- Enjoy the juice immediately after making.
- When kept for a while, the juice may discolor. This is normal.
- Adding curry leaves is optional but highly recommended, especially if you are looking at improving your hair health.
- To reap the full benefits of this juice, please do not strain it after blending.
How to make Amla juice at home?
Prep Work
Wash the gooseberries and wipe dry. Similarly, wash the curry leaves well and dry them as well. Using a sharp paring knife, chop the fruits into small pieces, slicing away as much flesh as you can, from the pit.
Making Amlaka juice without juicer
You do not need any special equipment or juicer to make this juice.
First, place the chopped gooseberry along with the curry leaves and water to a high speed blender.
Next, add the cumin powder and salt. Blend on high speed till completely smooth.
When done, transfer to a mixing bowl and add the lemon juice to this.
Stir well. Enjoy immediately.
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Amla Juice
Equipment
- 1 high speed blender
Ingredients
- 5 Gooseberries
- 1/4 cup curry leaves loosely packed
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp roasted cumin powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1.5 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
Instructions
- First, place the chopped gooseberry along with the curry leaves and water to a high speed blender.
- Next, add the cumin powder and salt. Blend on high speed till completely smooth.
- When done, transfer to a mixing bowl and add the lemon juice to this. Stir well. Enjoy immediately.
Video
Notes
- Use a sharp knife to chop the gooseberry. Try to slice as much flesh as possible.
- Enjoy the juice immediately after making.
- When kept for a while, the juice may discolor. This is normal.
- Adding curry leaves is optional but highly recommended, especially if you are looking at improving your hair health.
- To reap the full benefits of this juice, please do not strain it after blending.
For Instant Pot & Air Fryer Recipes
Instant Pot timings may vary based on your geographic location. Air fryer settings and timings may vary based on the capacity and the model of the Air fryer.
Disclaimer
Nutrition values are provided here as a courtesy and are only a rough guide. Please consult a health care provider if you have any concerns.
Nutrition
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