Dried Mango Powder (Amchur)

Dried mango powder, also called amchur or amchoor, is a sour spice made by drying and grinding unripe green mangoes into a fine powder. It originates on the Indian subcontinent, where it is used as a tangy souring agent in place of lemon or tamarind.

Common in Indian and South Asian cooking, amchur adds a bright, tart note to chutneys, pickles, curries, and meat dishes, helping balance rich or heavily spiced foods. Its fine texture blends easily into marinades, spice mixes, and dry rubs. Regional use varies: North Indian cooking favors it in chutneys and curries, while South Indian cooking uses it in sambar, rasam, and lentil dishes.

Because amchur is a souring agent rather than a fruity sweetener, it should be added in small amounts and adjusted to taste, much like lemon juice or vinegar.