Amla Candy: A Healthy, Delicious Snack You Must Try

Amla, or Indian gooseberry, is a fruit which packs several nutrients. The word ‘amla’ is inherited from the Sanskrit word ‘amalaki’, which means prosperity. It contains vitamins C and A, polyphenols, magnesium, calcium, and iron. It also offers several health benefits, such as boosting immunity, promoting hair growth, reversing grey hair, improving liver health, slowing down ageing, etc. So, it gains importance in the Ayurvedic treatment and proves that regular consumption of amla balances the three doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) of the body. 

By and large, you should add amla to your regular diet to promote your health. Now, there are several ways to add amla to your diet and amla candy is a good option. The sweet and sour taste of these candies refreshes you and helps you to stay active and fit in winters.

Amla Candy Recipe

Ingredients

· Amla or Indian gooseberry: ½ kg (fresh or frozen)

· Sugar: 250 g

· Black salt: ½ teaspoon

· Powdered sugar: 2 tablespoons (optional) 

Method

1. First, boil gooseberries for 15 to 20 minutes. You can use a pressure cooker or steamer to boil them. If you are using a pressure cooker, then stop boiling after 1 whistle to avoid overcooking them.
2. Then, remove the seeds and separate gooseberries as natural flakes. If they remain hard, you need to boil them again. After boiling them to perfection, marinate them with sugar and salt and leave the amla flakes for one day.
3. Next, strain the excessive sugar syrup. Later, you can use this syrup to make an amla cooler. 
4. Put the amla flakes on a cooking or baking tray. The tray should be covered with a baking sheet. Now, leave them to dry in the sun for 2 to 3 days. It’s better to keep them in the shade. But if you prefer, you may leave them directly in the sunlight. Then, the colour of gooseberries will turn black. 
5. If you don’t want to wait 2 to 3 days, dry them in a warm oven. But, don’t burn them. Just leave them at a low temperature for a few hours. It will dry them quickly. 
6. Also, you can bake the candies in an air fryer instead of sunlight. Here, you need to cook at a low temperature, which is suitable for dehydrating. The ideal temperature is 60 degree Celsius or 70 degree Celsius. 
7. Now the amla candies are ready. Preserve them in an airtight container. 

Tips to Enhance the Taste

1. You can add powdered sugar to the gooseberry candies. It will absorb the extra moisture.
2. You can create variations in amla candies to enhance the taste. So, you may use different spices like cumin, black pepper, cane sugar powder, or jaggery.
3. Always use fresh gooseberries to make candies. If you don’t have fresh ones, then use frozen gooseberries.
4. You have to boil gooseberries until their pieces become translucent. 
5. If you prefer soft amla candies, then you can store them in the refrigerator. 

Serving Ideas

1. You can use amla candies as mouth fresheners.
2. Amla candies are good for toppings of desserts like cakes, puddings, or ice cream. Moreover, you can add them to a bowl of yoghurt, smoothie, or oatmeal.
3. To make a trail mix, add them to dry fruits like almonds, cashews, and raisins.

 Nutritional Content in Amla Candy Recipe

Conclusion

Amla candies are not only good in taste, but also have several health benefits. So, try this easy amla candy recipe at home and say goodbye to common health issues.