Plant-based foods spoil very quickly. However, if stored properly, they can be used for a long time. The key is to know the right measures to store them. One such food item is Amla, which is also known as Indian gooseberry. It is a seasonal food which is available in the market for a short period of time. People typically want to store it for months because it is high in vitamin C and provides many health benefits, including improving immunity, promoting healthy digestion, supporting liver health, and controlling blood sugar. To help you out, we have come up with various ways to store amla.

Read also: 10 Amazing Benefits of Amla Powder: A Powerful Superfood

Here are 5 simple ways to store amla for enhanced shelf life:

1. Smooth Them Out

This is an old way of storing gooseberry. If you have a good amount of amla, it is suggested to lubricate them, or in simple words, oil the amla. First of all, wash the fresh batch of gooseberry and dry it with a cloth. Now take a few drops of mustard oil in your hands and apply it one by one on the gooseberry. Once done, place them in a plastic bag and store in the fridge.

_{Grease the gooseberry with oil. photo credit: iStock}

2. Use an air tight container

Air-tight containers are the best way to store food items for a long time. They work well for storing pulses, spices and cookies as well as fresh gooseberries. To store fresh gooseberries in an airtight container, simply wash them and pat them dry with a kitchen towel, then store them in a container and refrigerate.

Read also: This Healthy Amla Juice Can Help Speed ​​Up Your Metabolism And Lose Weight

3. Boil and Store

Boiling and storing is a simple technique that can help increase the shelf life of amla. To use this technique, start by de-seeding the gooseberries. Then boil them in water for 10-15 minutes. After boiling, dry the gooseberries and keep them in the sun for a day or two until they dry completely. When the gooseberries are completely dry, store them in an air tight container.

4. Make amla powder

Making dry powder from amla is another way to increase its shelf life. Amla powder can be consumed as a drink mixed with water, or added to vegetables to enhance its flavor. Follow the above boiling and storing steps to make amla powder. When the gooseberry becomes dry and hard, grind it finely with the help of a grinder. After this, fill this powder in an air tight box and keep it.

_{Amla powder can be added to vegetables. photo credit: iStock}

5. Amla Candies

Amla candy, also known as amla murabba, is a popular Indian candy made from gooseberry. This sweet and salty candy is a great way to make amla more tasty and appealing, especially for kids. To make amla candy, first boil the gooseberries and separate them. Then add a good amount of sugar to preserve the amla for several months. For the full recipe, click here.

_{Amla candy is a healthy snack. photo credit: iStock}

Using these techniques, you can extend the shelf life of gooseberries for weeks or months, and they take no more than 15 to 30 minutes to complete.