Amla, also known as Indian gooseberry (Phyllantus emblica), is a superfood found in India and southeast asia. Featured prominently in Ayurvedic medicine, amla has a reputation as a powerful health food.
However, amla is a bit different from many folk remedies in that a large and continuously growing body of evidence shows that it actually works.
Between its heart health benefits, anti-inflammatory, weight loss, blood glucose controlling, antioxidant, blood pressure lowering, cholesterol lowering, and even hair-restoring effects, the benefits of amla are extensive.
So how can you add this berry to your diet? We’ll explore some options for how to drink amla powder in this article.
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Things to Know About Drinking Amla Powder
Amla might be the most powerful plant-based medicine ever discovered, so why hasn’t it become more popular?
A few reasons. The first is that it can be difficult to source high-quality amla outside of India and Southeast Asia, though this is slowly changing.
The second is that it can be tricky to work amla into foods. On its own, amla berries are exceptionally bitter and tart, which makes powdered amla the preferred option for this powerful plant.
Still, on its own amla powder doesn’t taste fantastic. When mixing a teaspoon with 12oz of water — the simplest way to take amla powder — the result is a relatively murky, tart, and bitter drink, often with some powder left over.
Fortunately, it doesn’t matter what time of day you take amla, whether you drink it on an empty stomach, or if you serve amla hot or cold, which means that you can navigate this unpleasant taste and mix amla powder in with other drinks and foods.
Amla Mixers: Different Ways to Drink Amla Powder
Amla packs a significant health benefit even with a small amount, and its tart and bitter taste manage to complement other food and beverage without overpowering.
You’ll find that amla mixes excellently into:
- Fruit juices (pomegranate, orange juice, and lemonade are popular favorites)
- Smoothies (really any fruit smoothie can add a health boost with a spoonful of amla)
- Tea (especially green tea and herbal tea, as seen below)
- Indian and Asian soups and stews (the tartness of amla plays well with similar flavors)
- Salad dressings (we recommend vinegar, not oil-based dressings)
The Power of Amla Plus Tea
One of the most powerful ways to drink powdered amla is mixed with green tea or herbal teas like hibiscus. Both complementary teas turn the tart and bitter taste of amla into a smooth, refreshing powder, but the benefits of mixing teas doesn’t stop there.
Green and herbal teas are zero calorie beverages, helping with intermittent fasting without the negative side-effects of zero-calorie energy drinks and supporting amla’s weight loss properties whether you drink it first thing in the morning—or even late in the afternoon. It's also an excellent option to drink while intermittent fasting, making it a healthier choice than energy drinks or diet sodas, whether you’re fasting for its health benefits or religious reasons,
Green tea in particular has thermogenic properties that help burn fat, while both types of teas have natural caffeine that boosts energy, and immune-boosting antioxidants.
That’s why we created Amla Green, a 20x concentrated amla supplement with both green tea and hibiscus flavors. Using high-quality, organic amla, we’re able to condense all of the benefits of amla into a versatile powder that you can drink straight and mix easily.
See some of our favorite recipes below.
Amla Powder Drink Recipes (And More!) to Try
One of the simplest ways to enjoy amla is to mix it in a glass of hot or cold water, because amla powder generally dissolves well.
Simply mix one or two tablespoons in a 12 oz glass to make for a slightly sour drink that can be refreshing.
If you’re drinking Amla Green, this tart taste becomes a smooth and sweet drink that you may find yourself looking forward to every day.
Amla Green Tea
The easiest way to add amla to your diet — just add water!
Ingredients
- 12 oz of Water
- 2 teaspoons of Amla Green
Instructions
Mix well!
Amla Green Lemonade
Another simple, refreshing, and health-boosting beverage, perfect for a warm afternoon.
Ingredients
Instructions
Add 2 teaspoons of Amla Green to lemonade, mix well and pour over ice.
Amla Green Pomegranate Mojito Mocktail
Getting a little fancier and more fun, this mocktail is especially tasty with Amla Green Hibiscus.
Ingredients
- Pomegranate seeds
- Mint leaves
- 2 limes, quartered, plus slices to garnish
- 1 Quart pomegranate juice
- 2 Cups lemonade
- 3 tbsp Amla Green Hibiscus
Instructions
In a big pitcher, mix pomegranate juice, lemonade, lime juice, and Amla Green Hibiscus. Fill glasses with pomegranate seeds, ice, and pour juice over seeds, garnishing with mint.
Tropical Amla Green Smoothie
One of many, many options for Amla Green in a fruit smoothie. Experiment for yourself!
Ingredients
- 1 banana
- 1 cup of frozen mixed berries
- 1 cup of fresh papaya or mango
- 1 scoop of Amla Green (Regular or Decaf)
- 1/4-1/2 cup of water
Instructions
Blend ingredients on high for 30 seconds, then pour into a cup and drink!
Refreshing Amla Green Smoothie Bowl
Brunch, dessert, or afternoon snack. This refreshing smoothie bowl plays well any time of day.
Ingredients
- 1 frozen banana (fresh banana also works)
- 1 cup of frozen blueberries or mixed berries
- 1 cup of frozen mango
- 1 scoop of Amla Green (Regular or Decaf)
- 1/4-1/2 cup of water
Instructions
Blend on high for 30-60 seconds, then pour into a bowl and top with 1 tbsp ground flax seeds, 1 sliced banana, or fresh berries.
Tangy and Spicy Amla Green Dressing
The first of two recommended Amla Green salad dressings. Another area to explore!
Ingredients
- Tangy and Spicy Amla Green Dressing
- 1 scoop of Amla Green (Regular or Decaf)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 pinch of ground cumin
- 1 pinch of smoked paprika
- 1 pinch of ground curry powder
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
Mix all ingredients well together, then use as a dip or drizzle on top of a salad or mixed vegetables.
Mediterranean Amla Green Dressing
A mediterranean twist on Amla Green salad dressing, great for early evening or appetizers.
Ingredients
- 1 scoop of Amla Green (Regular or Decaf)
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 pinch of ground oregano
- 1 pinch of smoked thyme
Instructions
Mix well together, then use as a dip, or drizzle on top of a salad or mixed vegetables.
You’ll Love This Amla Powder Drink -- Or Your Money Back
These options for drinks and recipes with amla are just the start. With the complementary flavors of green tea or hibiscus, Amla Green opens up quite a few possibilities to add amla to your diet.
There is a constantly-growing world of suggested recipes, which not only work well with amla, but have a wide range of other plant-based health benefits. Head to this article for three simple recipes that you can make for yourself or bring to a party.
In fact, we’re so thrilled to share Amla Green with you that we’re offering your first batch entirely risk free. If you don’t love it, just let us know, and we’ll give you your money back!
Amla Green has strict guidelines for scientific references in our articles, and we rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, governmental organizations, and reputable medical organizations. We do our best to avoid using non evidence-based references in all articles. The references in this article are listed below.
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“Amla Benefits: 12 Reasons To Try Indian Gooseberries.” ”https://amlagreen.com/blogs/news/amla-benefits-1"
“Amla Green. “Amla Green Hibiscus.” ”https://amlagreen.com/products/amla-green-hibiscus"
“Amla Green. “Amla Green Regular.” ”https://amlagreen.com/products/amla-green-regular"
“Amla Green Tea Products | Amla Green Store.” ”https://amlagreen.com/collections/all"
“Mastering Diabetes. “Diabetes Recipes: Low-Fat, Plant-Based, Whole-Food Nutrition.” ”https://www.masteringdiabetes.org/recipe/"
“Green Tea and Fasting: A Guide to Benefits and Drawbacks.” ”https://amlagreen.com/blogs/news/green-tea-while-intermittent-fasting"
“Mastering Diabetes. “Intermittent Fasting: Performing a 24-Hour Intermittent Fast,” February 15, 2017.” ”https://www.mangomannutrition.com/24-hour-intermittent-fasting-explained/"