Amla, the Indian gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica), is a small, hard, translucent pale-green fruit that is one of the most intensely sour and astringent foods in the Indian pantry. Central to Ayurveda and to Indian pickles, murabba, candy and juice, its fibrous flesh is fiercely acidic and puckering raw, mellowing when brined, sugared or cooked, and it is exceptionally rich in vitamin C.