Kitchen Dictionary: amla

Amla is the fruit of a small, deciduous tree grown all over India. The fruit is round in shape, pale green and translucent. It has a fine, glossy skin and crunchy, crispy flesh. The aroma is sour and it tastes acidic and leaves the teeth tingling if bitten into. Amla can be used fresh or dried. Dried amlas are sometimes ground. Amla is prized both for its high vitamin C content and for the precious oil extracted from its seeds and pulp (used as a treatment for hair and scalp problems). Amla oil, one of the world's oldest natural hair conditioners, is prepared from dried amla berries which have been soaked in coconut oil for several days.

Ethnicity: Indian Ingredient

Season: available year-round