Common mango is one of the produces found in forest area. Of mangoes, some trees are known for their sourness and hence are not consumed as fruit. However, the same mango can be dried, ground and then used as aamchur that acts as a substitute for tamarind in many regions of country, to give sourness to culinary preparation, notably in UP and Delhi. Then aamgutli, simply dried kernel of mango is used to extract oil. This then is used in chocolates.

Availability and Spread

Bastar alone has a potential of 5000 MT of Aamchur and 4000 MT of kernel per year. In Bastar, Mango trees are seen mostly in private lands. Sarguja, another forest district accounts for some 50 MT of Aamchur in a year.

Mango production is usually inversely proportional to production of tamarind.

Collection and processing

The fruits are plucked after Aam Thiyar (Mango festival) when it is first offered to Mitti Dev (earth god). Mango is plucked at the tender stage so that it retains its sourness for making Aamchur.

Processing consists of cutting and drying of mango. Cutting is done by stainless steel knife to prevent discolouration. There are three grades of Aamchur based on colour, tenderness and presence of skin or shell or foreign matters. The variety that is whiter, smoother, without skin and shell, fetches highest price. With arrival of cold storages, it has become easier to store Aamchur and retain colour for months together.

Important trade aspects

This being a free produce it is very difficult to get any figure. It follows traditional route of NTFP (mentioned later). Aamchur finds it ways to other markets through traders/ Mandis of Dhamtari and Raipur. For Aamchur from Sarguja, apart from the above two, Benaras is another important market.

The price of Aamchur varies from Rs 15 – 25 a kg at retail market. Procurement price of TRIFED in Bastar during VDS movement was Rs 10 a kg (1999). Aamgutli is traded at rates ranging from Rs 2 –3 per Kg.