With the arrival of winter, many fresh amla appear in markets, which people often buy in large quantities due to their health benefits. However, the real problem arises after purchase: within a few days, the amla start to soften, brown spots appear, and the entire stock spoils quickly.
If this happens to you at any time of year, and you buy less out of fear, you do not need to change your habits. It is enough to make small adjustments to how you store amla. The main role in the long-term preservation of amla belongs to humidity control and removing spoiled fruits. If you perform just three simple actions after bringing them home, amla can be kept fresh for a long time.
How long to store amla
The first thing to do is to separate the spoiled fruits. You should not put amla in the refrigerator immediately after purchase. You must carefully inspect each fruit. Fruits that look bruised, cut, too soft, or already have black or brown spots should be set aside from the rest.
One spoiled or rotting amla can accelerate the spoilage of neighboring fruits. Therefore, thorough sorting before storage is the most important step.
After washing the amla, be sure to dry them completely. Never put wet amla in a container. Even a small amount of moisture can cause condensation in the refrigerator, leading to rapid softening of the fruits. After washing, thoroughly wipe the amla with a clean cloth or paper towels, and then place them in a dry and clean place until all moisture evaporates.
When the amla are completely dry, you can start storing them. Take a clean and dry container. Line the bottom with dry paper towels, then place the amla, and you can also place paper towels on top. Try not to pack the amla too tightly against each other. Paper towels help absorb excess moisture, reducing the likelihood of premature softening of the fruits.
Now you can place the container in the refrigerator. Only take the amount of amla you need and immediately return the rest to the refrigerator. Periodically check the contents of the container. If a spot appears on any fruit or it becomes too soft, remove it immediately. It is also necessary to change the paper towels inside the container if they become wet.
Pay attention to choosing amla in the store
The process of preserving amla begins even before you bring them home. When buying, choose fruits that are firm, do not bruise when pressed, and have no signs of damage or cuts. The fresher and higher quality the amla you buy, the higher the chances of them being preserved for a long time with proper storage.
It is important to remember the three main steps for maintaining the freshness of amla: separating spoiled fruits, completely drying after washing, and storing in the refrigerator using dry paper towels. Additionally, it is necessary to check the amla regularly. If you realize that the amla will not be used in time, they can be turned into jam, marinade, or candy.