Aamras Recipe (Sweet Mango Pulp)

Aamras is a popular mango delicacy from the Western Indian states of Maharashtra and Gujarat. Try this absolutely delicious aamras recipe with my step-by-step photos for an indulgent summer treat. Enjoy it as it is or with Poori (Indian fried bread).

What is Aamras

In Hindi the words Aam means mango and Ras means essence or extract or juice. So the word aamras means a juicy mango extract. It is also known as Keri no Ras in Gujarati language where keri means mango.

Basically aamras is simply a mango puree or pulp. You can also call it mango nectar. 

Aamras is a summer delight in a bowl. One of the dishes that I make on occasions during weekends in the Indian summers is aamras poori.

Traditionally aamras is served with Poori. This pairing known as aamras puri is liked by many people and is quite popular.

But aamras can also be eaten after a meal as a sweet dish or just about at any time. Recently a reader had also mentioned in the comments below that neer dosa can be served with aamras.

As I mentioned above, aam ras is very popular both in Gujarat and Maharashtra. In fact, in both Gujarati and Maharashtrian weddings, I have had aamras served in the thali meal.

How to make Aamras Recipe

Prep Mangoes

1. Begin by rinsing 2 large alphonso mangoes thoroughly in clean water. Drain all the water and dry them with a clean kitchen towel.

Peel and chop the mangoes. Add the chopped mangoes to a blender. You can also add some sugar if the mangoes are slightly tangy or sour.

NOTE: The amount of jaggery or sugar depends on the sweetness of mangoes and your individual preference of sweetness. If the mangoes are slightly tangy, then you could add some sugar and jaggery. But if the mangoes are sweet or very sweet, you do not need to add any sweetener.

TIP: Mangoes have a heating quality. So to reduce this, soak mangoes until immersed in water in a bowl for a couple of hours. Later drain all the water, wipe them dry with a kitchen towel and begin to prep them.

Blend Mangoes

2. Then blend the mangoes to a smooth pulp. Check the taste and add sugar if required. 

To thin the consistency of aamras slightly, add some milk or water or a few ice cubes and blend again. However do not add too much of the liquids as they will make your aamras recipe into a drink.

Make Aamras

3. Take the mango pulp in a bowl. Then add ½ teaspoon cardamom powder and 12 to 15 saffron strands that have crushed.

You can easily crush saffron strands between your fingers or use a small mortar if you prefer.

I also added about 2 to 3 teaspoons of sugar and you can see the difference in the consistency in the photo below. Addition of sugar makes the consistency slightly thinner in the mango pulp.

Note that saffron is optional and omit if you do not have it. Additionally you could add ¼ teaspoon of ground ginger (dry ginger powder) at this step.

4. Mix very well. Then pour in a container. Cover the container and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to an hour. Or you can serve straightaway in small bowls.

Serving Suggestions

Serve aamras with Poori. Break the poori and dip it in the aamras scooping some of the delish pulp and eat it.

You can serve it with Roti for a healthier option. You could add your choice of nuts and dry fruits to your aamras.

If adding cashews, then fry or roast cashews until golden and mix it with the aamras.

In summers we serve aamras cold or chilled. To make a cold aamras, either refrigerate the mangoes for a couple of hours or add a few ice cubes while blending the mangoes.

Helpful Tips

• Mangoes: Mostly, the alphonso variety of mango is used for making aam ras. Though you can also make with any sweet juicy mangoes. Just make sure the mangoes are not fibrous.
• Consistency: I never add any milk or water when preparing aamras as we have it with poori or roti. But if you want you can thin the consistency lightly by adding some water or milk (vegan or dairy).
• Ground ginger: As a reader has mentioned below in the comments, the Gujarati version of aamras recipe has a bit of dry ginger powder (saunth) added to it. This helps in digestion as the aamras is also topped with a bit of ghee.
• Ground cardamom: In the Maharashtrian aamras version, cardamom powder is added. I usually add cardamom powder and saffron.
• Garnish: Aaamras can be topped with some chopped nuts like almonds, cashews or pistachios. Sometimes I also mix the chopped nuts with the aamras.
• Frozen mangoes: If you have frozen mangoes, then make aamras with them easily. Let the mangoes thaw a bit and then blend them. I make aamras and many mango based desserts with frozen mangoes when the mango season is over. I freeze mangoes every year so that we can enjoy them later.
• Scaling: Make easily a large batch by including more mangoes.

This aamras recipe post from the archives (May 2010) has been republished and updated on 13 April 2021.