Wonder fruit ‘Aamla’

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Last Sunday hubby bought 5 kilogram of ‘Aamla’ (Emblica officinalis), also known as Indian Goose berry. Other names are emblic, emblic myrobalan, malacca tree and the variants in spelling; aola, ammalaki, aamvala, aawallaa, dharty, nillika, and nellikya. The taste of Indian gooseberry is sour, bitter and astringent, and it is quite fibrous. In India, it is common to eat gooseberries steeped in salt water and turmeric to make the sour fruits palatable. He takes an ayurvedic preparation known as Jeevanprash in the morning. This is nothing but a sugar free (no honey), version of an ancient herbal rasayana called Chyawanprash. This formula, which contains 43 herbal ingredients as well as clarified butter, sesame oil, sugar cane juice, and honey, was first mentioned in the Charaka Samhita as a premier rejuvenative compound. I did a little research. As per information in Wikipedia, ‘Emblica officinalis tea may ameliorate diabetic neuropathy’. We both suffer from this. Usually Aamla is pickled with salt, oil, and spices. Aamla is eaten raw or cooked into various dishes. Also ‘amle ka murabbah’, a sweet dish wherein the berries are soaked in sugar syrup for a long time till they are imparted the sweet flavor; it is traditionally consumed after meals. So I prepared 2 kinds of stuff from this. Half was cut to small sizes; black rock salt was sprinkled and dried in shade. It tastes great and it is mouth freshener. This is for Professor and me. The second half was poked with kitchen knife, soaked in lime water for one day; this removes the bitter taste, next boiled in thick sugar syrup. This is great candy, called ‘amle ka murabbah’. This Subhee will consume with her parents. Are you aware of this wonder fruit Aamla? If not try preparing this, I am sure you will like. Please comment and share your valued opinion. Kalyani 19/11/11 God bless you