Amla (Indian Gooseberry) of Pratapgarh

## Amla — The Immortality Fruit of Ayurveda Indian gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica or Emblica officinalis), called amla in Hindi and amalaki in Sanskrit, is one of the most venerated medicinal fruits in Ayurveda. Pratapgarh district of Uttar Pradesh is the largest amla-producing district in India, earning it the nickname "Amla Capital of India." ### Nutritional Profile Amla contains 600–700mg vitamin C per 100g — 20 times more than oranges. Unlike oranges, amla's Vitamin C is stable even after drying and cooking, bound to tannins that prevent oxidation. Also rich in gallic acid, ellagic acid, and superoxide dismutase. ### Cultivation Amla trees are remarkably hardy: drought-tolerant, capable of producing on poor soils, and productive from year 5 through year 70+. Pratapgarh's sandy loam soil and Ganga-plain climate suit the crop. Average yield: 80–120 kg per tree. ### Processing Raw amla is too sour and astringent to eat fresh. Traditional processing includes: - Dried amla for churan (digestive powder) - Amla candy (sugar-preserved) - Amla murabba (jam in sugar syrup) - Amla juice and concentrate - Amla oil (hair care, richest in natural Vitamin E) - Triphala (ancient formulation of amla + haritaki + bibhitaki) ### Market Pratapgarh's amla cooperative supplies to Dabur, Patanjali, and dozens of Ayurvedic manufacturers. Annual production exceeds 2 lakh MT. Export demand for organic amla extract is growing.