Amla Extract Powder

Sour, fibrous, light green berries of the Indian gooseberry tree, Phyllanthus emblica, are the starting material for this amla extract, which carries the tart, astringent character of the fresh fruit into a dry powder. Water extraction concentrates the soluble fruit fraction of Phyllanthus emblica, and the liquor is dried to a light brown powder.

Defined by the 10:1 ratio and not by a tannin value, this amla powder is water dispersible and milled to 80 mesh. The tannin-standardized extract, the plain fruit powder and the freeze-dried powder are separate products with their own specifications.

Phyllanthus emblica Fruit Identity & Plant Part

The botanical entity is Phyllanthus emblica L., also written Emblica officinalis, a deciduous tree of the family Phyllanthaceae native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. The part used is the ripe fruit, a hard, pale green to yellowish berry with six faint vertical segments. Leaves, bark, flowers and seeds are not included in this amla extract.

Several plants carry the name gooseberry, which is a source of error. The European gooseberry is Ribes uva-crispa, an unrelated fruit, and Phyllanthus niruri, a small herb of the same genus, is used for entirely different purposes. Amalaki, amla and Indian gooseberry all refer to P. emblica, so a document that says only “gooseberry extract” leaves the plant open.

Amla Extract vs Powder & Standardized Grade

FormWhat It IsChoose It When
10:1 Amla Fruit ExtractWater-extracted, concentrated and dried P. emblica fruitA dispersible amla extract without a marker is wanted
Amla Extract 40% TanninsStandardized extract with a defined tannin levelThe specification names a tannin figure
Amla PowderDried, milled whole fruitWhole-fruit fiber and color are wanted
Freeze-Dried Amla PowderWhole fruit dried by freeze-dryingGentle drying and fresher character matter

For amla, the 10:1 ratio states how far the fruit was concentrated. It does not state tannin or ascorbic acid content, and fruit from different cultivars and harvest stages differs in size, fiber and sourness, so two lots at 10:1 can differ in all three.

The 40% tannin extract is the product to name when a tannin value is declared. The ratio extract is the simpler option where amla identity and a sour-astringent, dispersible powder are enough, and the two fruit powders add fiber and whole-fruit character, the freeze-dried one through gentle drying.

Typical Specifications

Specification ItemProduct Information
Latin NamePhyllanthus emblica
Plant PartFruit & Berry
ProcessingWater Extraction
Common NameAmla, Indian Gooseberry
Ingredient TypeRatio Extract
Extract Ratio10:1
AppearanceLight Brown powder
Solubility / DispersibilityWater Dispersible
Quality Parameters
Moisture (LOD)≤5.0%
Total Ash≤5.0%
Particle Size80 mesh
Heavy MetalsLead ≤2 ppm · Arsenic ≤1 ppm · Cadmium ≤1 ppm · Mercury ≤0.1 ppm
MicrobiologyTPC ≤1,000 cfu/g · Yeast & Mold ≤100 cfu/g · E. coli Negative · Salmonella Negative/25 g
Shelf Life24 months in unopened original packaging, cool and dry storage

Application Areas

Tannin-Rich Capsule Fills

Capsules are the plain route for an intensely sour, astringent powder, because the shell keeps the taste off the tongue. Opaque shells hide the light brown tint, and desiccant in the bottle limits moisture pickup, to which a tannin-rich powder is prone.

Film-Coated Astringent Tablets

A film coat covers the dry, puckering astringency that makes uncoated tablets unpleasant to chew, and it limits moisture uptake. Because the powder is hygroscopic, hardness is verified after a few weeks of storage, since softened compacts are the usual fault in such tablets.

Sour-Fruit Drink Sticks

Drink sticks pair amla extract with sweetener and fruit flavors that tame the sourness. Citrus, mango or spiced flavors suit its sharp, astringent note, and the powder dissolves in cold water to a pale amber, slightly hazy liquid.

Date and Fig Bar Mixes

Fruit-forward bars use the extract as a tart component beside date or fig pastes. The sugar in those pastes tempers the astringency, and the dry extract adds less moisture than fruit pulp, which helps keep water activity low.

Gummy Premixes for a Sour Fruit

Gummy premixes add amla extract after cooking, once the mass has cooled, because heat degrades tannins and ascorbic acid. Sugar balances its acidity and astringency, and a trial batch with the chosen pectin or gelatin confirms clarity and texture, since tannins bind gelatin.

Formulation Notes

The powder is light brown with a mild, fruity-sour aroma and a strongly sour, bitter and astringent taste that leaves the mouth dry. In water it dissolves or disperses to a pale amber, lightly hazy liquid. Tannins bind proteins, so dry blends with protein powders or gelatin can show haze or firming once liquid is added.

Hydrolyzable tannins and ascorbic acid are sensitive to heat, light, oxygen and metal ions, so add the extract late in any heated step. Keep iron and copper tools away from it, because the gallic acid units form dark complexes with those metals. Sieve soft lumps out before filling.

Amla solids are hygroscopic. After opening a container of amla extract, reseal the liner firmly and keep the remainder dry, as an astringent, tannin-rich powder tends to set into a brittle block once it takes up water.

Packaging & Commercial Supply

Essencefield supports product evaluation, formulation trials, commercial orders, and ongoing ingredient supply. Packaging, storage, and shipping arrangements are determined by product characteristics, order quantity, stability requirements, and destination-market needs.

Supply ItemGeneral Information
SampleAvailable upon request for formulation, testing, and supplier evaluation
Order Quantities100 g · 1 kg · 5 kg · 25 kg · 100 kg · 500 kg · Bulk
Sample Lead TimeTypically 5–7 days after sample confirmation
Production Lead TimeTypically 15–30 days after order and specification confirmation
PackagingSuitable protective inner packaging with bags, cartons, drums, or other appropriate outer packaging
StorageStore in tightly sealed, suitable protective packaging in a cool, dry environment. Protect from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight. Specific storage conditions follow the approved product specification.
DocumentationCOA · Product Specification · TDS · SDS · Applicable declarations (as applicable)

Final order quantities, lead times, packaging, documentation, and shipping arrangements are confirmed according to the selected product and commercial requirements.

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