Afghan Black Raisins (Munakka)

Munakka is the elder cousin of the everyday raisin: bigger, darker, deeply sweet, and carrying a single seed in the old way. Our Afghan Munakka has a wrinkled mahogany skin and a soft, jammy interior that tastes of dried plum and dark caramel. Generations of Indian households have kept a small jar of these on the kitchen shelf, soaked overnight in milk or water for children with a winter cough, or stirred into kahwa on cold mornings.

Where We Source

True Munakka comes from grapes grown in the high, dry plateaus of Afghanistan, primarily around Kandahar and Herat, with a smaller share from the Iranian provinces bordering Khorasan. The vines benefit from cold winters, hot summers and very low humidity, which concentrates the sugars before drying. The grapes are dried slowly in traditional mud-brick kishmish khanas, ventilated rooms with slatted walls that let dry air circulate without direct sun. This shade-drying over several weeks is what gives Munakka its characteristic depth of flavour and chewy texture, very different from quickly sun-dried table raisins.

How to Enjoy

• Ayurvedic soak: Soak two to three Munakka overnight in warm water; eat on an empty stomach for traditional iron and digestion support.
• Kahwa and milk: Simmer with saffron and a stick of cinnamon for a winter night drink.
• Biryani and pulao: Fry briefly in ghee with cashews; their size holds up beautifully against the rice.
• Sherbet and chutney: Blend soaked Munakka with tamarind and rock salt for a classic North Indian sweet-sour sherbet.

Storage & Freshness

Keep Munakka in an airtight container in a cool, dark cupboard. Best consumed within nine to twelve months of packing. Because Munakka has higher residual moisture than seedless raisins, refrigeration is recommended in summer or in humid coastal climates after the pouch is opened. If they stiffen over time, a five-minute soak in warm water restores the original soft texture.

Nutritional Snapshot (per 30g serving)

• Calories: ~95 kcal
• Natural sugars: ~21 g (fructose and glucose, no added sugar)
• Fibre: ~1.4 g
• Iron: ~1.1 mg | Potassium: ~250 mg
• Key micronutrients: Calcium, Magnesium, Polyphenols

Frequently Asked

What is the difference between Munakka and Kishmish?
Both are dried grapes, but they come from different varieties and traditions. Kishmish is small, seedless, and lighter in colour, eaten as a snack and used in everyday cooking. Munakka is larger, retains its seed, and is dried far longer, which deepens both colour and flavour. In Ayurveda, Munakka is considered more medicinal, especially for respiratory health, anaemia, and constipation. Many households use the two interchangeably in sweets, but the soaked-overnight ritual specifically calls for Munakka.

Why does Munakka have a seed inside?
The traditional Munakka grape is a seeded variety, and Ayurvedic texts specifically recommend the seeded form. The seed is small, soft after soaking, and edible, though most people split the fruit and remove it before eating. Removing the seed is also how Munakka is prepared for children. The presence of the seed is a sign that you are getting the authentic varietal, not a relabelled seedless raisin.

Is Munakka safe during pregnancy?
Soaked Munakka is a long-standing traditional remedy in Indian households during pregnancy, valued for its iron, fibre and gentle natural sweetness. Two to four soaked pieces a day, eaten in the morning, are commonly recommended. That said, every pregnancy is different. If you have gestational diabetes or any condition that requires monitoring blood sugar, please consult your doctor before adding any dried fruit, including Munakka, to your daily routine.

Free delivery on orders over Rs.999. Direct-sourced. Naturally processed.

The Ammari Festive Gift Box is what we send to our own family and closest customers each Diwali. Inside a sturdy kraft hamper, finished with a satin ribbon and an optional handwritten card, sit five of our most-loved varieties in individual reusable pouches. It is a gift designed to feel considered rather than commercial — direct-sourced fruit, restrained packaging, and the kind of presentation that looks at home on a Diwali pooja thali, a corporate desk, or a wedding sagan tray.

Inside the Box

• California almonds — 250g: Whole Nonpareil kernels, in a kraft pouch.
• W320 cashews — 250g: Creamy-white whole grade from Mangaluru.
• Iranian pistachios — 200g: Akbari kernels, naturally split and lightly salted.
• Mazafati dates — 200g: Soft, caramel-toned dates from Bam, Iran.
• Smyrna fig sampler — 100g: Large amber Turkish Anjeer to round off the box.

Total weight: 1kg. Each variety is sealed in its own food-grade pouch, then nested in shredded kraft inside the outer hamper.

Perfect For

• Diwali corporate gifting: Premium yet appropriate for clients, vendors, and senior team members.
• Weddings and sagan: Substantial enough as a standalone shagun gift or part of a larger hamper.
• Raksha Bandhan: A thoughtful sister-to-brother or brother-to-sister gift that travels well.
• Housewarming and Eid: Universally welcome; halal-friendly contents; no alcohol or pork derivatives.

Storage & Freshness

Each pouch inside the box is sealed for freshness and stays good for 9 to 12 months unopened. Once the recipient opens a pouch, we recommend transferring the contents to an airtight container and storing in a cool, dry place. Dates and figs benefit from refrigeration in summer. The kraft outer box is dry-storage only — please keep away from direct heat, sunlight, and humidity until gifting.

Box Specifications

• Total net weight: 1000g (1kg) of dry fruits across five pouches
• Outer hamper: premium 350gsm kraft, magnetic-flap closure
• Approximate dimensions: 30cm x 22cm x 8cm
• Finishing: satin ribbon in Ammari brand colour, kraft shred lining
• Optional add-ons: handwritten message card (free), wax-seal stamping (₹49)
• Shelf life from dispatch: minimum 8 months on all pouches

Frequently Asked

Can I ship the box directly to a gift recipient?
Yes. At checkout, enter the recipient's address as the delivery address and your address as the billing address. We do not include a price slip or invoice in any gift box — only the optional message card. If you would like us to schedule delivery for a specific date (for example, the day before Diwali or a wedding), add a note at checkout and we will dispatch accordingly.

Do you take bulk corporate orders?
Bulk Diwali and year-end gifting is one of our most-requested services. For orders of 25 boxes or more we offer custom branding (your company logo on the kraft sleeve), custom message cards, and consolidated PAN-India dispatch. We typically need 10 to 14 working days from confirmation. Write to us at hello@ammari.in with quantity, delivery dates, and target locations for a tailored quote.

Can I add a personal message and customise contents?
A handwritten message card up to 40 words is included free with every box — add your text in the order notes at checkout. For content customisation (for example, swapping pistachios for walnuts, or upgrading to a 2kg box), please reach out before placing the order. We are a small family team, so the more notice you give us, the better we can tailor the hamper to your occasion.

Free delivery on orders over ₹999. Direct-sourced. Naturally processed.

The Medjool is unapologetically the king of dates: jumbo-sized, glossy mahogany on the outside, with a flesh that gives like soft caramel and tastes of honey and brown sugar. Ours arrive plump and unwrinkled, hand-graded for size, packed in a single layer so they reach you intact. One Medjool, halved and stuffed with an almond or a sliver of soft cheese, is a complete moment in itself. They are a cornerstone of iftar, a thoughtful Diwali gift, and the rare healthy treat that needs no apology.

Where We Source

Medjool dates have a remarkable history. They were nearly lost to disease in Morocco in the early 1900s, saved by a small consignment of offshoots sent to California's Bard Valley, and from there carefully restored to commercial scale. We source from three regions, depending on the season: the Jordan Valley straddling Jordan and the West Bank, the Medina-Qassim belt in Saudi Arabia, and Bard Valley in southern California. Each origin brings a slightly different profile. Jordan Valley fruit is the softest and most caramel-forward, Saudi Medjool tends drier and richer, and Californian fruit is the most uniform in size.

How to Enjoy

• Stuffed: Pit and fill with a roasted almond, walnut, or a small piece of paneer or goat cheese.
• Energy balls: Blend with oats, cocoa and nuts; no added sweetener needed.
• Smoothies and shakes: Two pitted Medjools blended into milk and banana replace any sugar.
• Iftar plate: Serve three with a glass of cold milk or laban to break the fast in the traditional way.

Storage & Freshness

Medjool dates stay perfect at room temperature for up to four weeks in an airtight container. Beyond that, refrigerate to keep the flesh soft and prevent sugar crystals from forming on the skin. In Jaipur summers, we recommend refrigeration from day one. Stored cold, Medjools keep beautifully for six to nine months. If they harden, ten seconds of steam or a few hours back at room temperature returns them to their original texture.

Nutritional Snapshot (per 30g serving, roughly 1.5 dates)

• Calories: ~80 kcal
• Natural sugars: ~20 g (glucose and fructose, no added sugar)
• Fibre: ~2.0 g
• Iron: ~0.3 mg | Potassium: ~200 mg
• Key micronutrients: Magnesium, Vitamin B6, Copper

Frequently Asked

Why are Medjool dates more expensive than other dates?
Medjool trees yield far less fruit per palm than commercial varieties, and the harvest is almost entirely manual. Each cluster is hand-thinned during growth so the remaining fruit reaches its signature jumbo size, and ripe dates are picked individually as they mature. The fruit is also fragile, requiring careful single-layer packing. The cost reflects the lower yield, the labour, and the fact that this is a fresh-style soft date, not a long-shelf-life dry date.

Are these dates sticky because sugar has been added?
No. The natural moisture in a ripe Medjool can sometimes draw glucose and fructose to the surface, which makes the skin look slightly sugary or feel tacky. This is the date's own sugar, not added syrup or coating. We do not glaze, spray or coat our dates with anything. If you prefer a less sticky finish, a brief refrigeration of the open pack firms the surface within an hour.

Can diabetics eat Medjool dates?
Medjool dates are high in natural sugar but also bring fibre, potassium and magnesium, which moderates the blood-sugar response compared to refined sweets. Many endocrinologists allow one to two dates per day, ideally paired with a protein or fat such as nuts or yoghurt to slow absorption. If you are managing diabetes or pre-diabetes, please confirm portion size with your doctor or dietitian before including dates regularly.

Free delivery on orders over Rs.999. Direct-sourced. Naturally processed.

Good apricots (Khubani) taste of summer mountains — bright, slightly tart, and finishing with deep honeyed sweetness. We source from two of the world's great apricot regions: Malatya in eastern Turkey, and the high Karakoram valleys of Ladakh. Both produce fruit that is naturally golden-orange, soft to the bite, and free of sulphur treatment. The result is a dried apricot that looks darker than the bright orange supermarket variety, but tastes considerably more like the original fruit.

Where We Source

Malatya, in the highlands of eastern Anatolia, accounts for nearly half of the world's dried apricot production. Its altitude (around 900 metres), continental climate, and long sunny days produce the soft, plump Hacıhaliloğlu variety we favour. From India, we work with smallholder cooperatives in the Nubra and Sham valleys of Ladakh, where the indigenous Halman and Raktsey Karpo apricots are harvested each August and laid out to dry on stone roofs. Both origins are sun-dried without sulphur dioxide, which is why the fruit is amber-brown rather than fluorescent orange.

How to Enjoy

• Tagines and curries: Slow-cook with lamb, cinnamon, and almonds for a classic Mughlai or Moroccan dish.
• Granola and muesli: Chop and toast with oats, almonds, and honey for a make-ahead breakfast.
• Soaked breakfast: Steep three apricots in water overnight, then eat with curd and a drizzle of honey.
• Biryani garnish: Stir whole apricots into the final dum stage for a sweet counterpoint to the spice.

Storage & Freshness

Keep apricots in an airtight container in a cool, dry place; they will stay soft and flavourful for 9 to 12 months. Because they retain natural moisture, we strongly recommend refrigerating the bag during Jaipur's summer (April to September) to prevent any surface stickiness or fermentation. If apricots firm up after long storage, soak briefly in warm water to restore their original texture before using.

Nutritional Snapshot (per 30g serving)

• Calories: approx. 72 kcal
• Fibre: 2.2 g
• Iron: 0.8 mg | Potassium: 350 mg
• Antioxidants: high in beta-carotene and lutein
• Key micronutrients: vitamin A, vitamin E, copper

Frequently Asked

Why are your apricots dark, not bright orange?
Bright orange dried apricots are treated with sulphur dioxide, which preserves colour and extends shelf life but alters flavour and is unsuitable for many sensitive customers. Our apricots are sun-dried without sulphur, so they oxidise to a natural amber-brown over a few days of drying. The colour is the most reliable visual cue that you are buying genuinely natural Khubani, the way it has been prepared in Anatolia and Ladakh for generations.

Malatya or Ladakh — which is better?
Both are excellent and we ship a blend or single-origin depending on season. Malatya apricots are larger, softer, and sweeter — preferred for desserts, stuffing, and gifting. Ladakh apricots are smaller, more tart, and have a deeper, almost wine-like flavour — preferred by chefs and customers who like a complex, less sugary fruit. Tell us your preference at checkout and we will do our best to accommodate.

Are these the same as Khubani ka Meetha apricots?
Yes, our Malatya variety is the type traditionally used for Hyderabadi Khubani ka Meetha — soft, sweet, and large enough to hold their shape when stewed. Soak them overnight, simmer with sugar and a touch of cardamom, and serve warm with malai or vanilla ice cream. Ladakh apricots also work but produce a tarter, more rustic version of the dish.

Free delivery on orders over ₹999. Direct-sourced. Naturally processed.

The same premium W240 whole cashews from our raw range, taken to the next stage. We dry-roast them gently — no oil, no coating — until the kernel turns a soft golden hue and that natural sweet-savoury cashew aroma fills the kitchen. A light scatter of fine sea salt finishes them. Crisp, buttery, and substantial enough to feel like a treat without the heaviness of fried snacks, these are the cashews you reach for during a cricket match, a long meeting, or unexpected guests at chai time.

Where We Source

The kernel base is identical to our raw W240 cashew pack — sourced from the Mangalore and Goa coastal belt with selective Vietnamese lots during off-season, all conforming to the W240 grade of approximately 240 unbroken white kernels per pound. We chose this grade specifically for roasting because the larger, denser kernel holds heat evenly and develops a uniform colour without burning at the tips. Roasting is done in small batches at our Jaipur facility so the cashews reach you fresh, with the salt crystals still distinct rather than absorbed into stale oil.

How to Enjoy

• Namkeen alternative: Pour into a brass katori for evening chai instead of fried sev or bhujia — the same crunch, none of the heaviness.
• Cocktail and bar snack: A natural pairing with whisky, white wine, and beer at home gatherings.
• Office drawer: A small handful at three pm beats biscuits and vending-machine chocolate every time.
• Festive mithai platter: Mix with raisins and roasted almonds in a silver tray for unexpected guests during Diwali or Eid.

Storage & Freshness

Roasted cashews stay fresh for six to nine months sealed, but once opened the clock speeds up. Transfer to an airtight glass jar and refrigerate, particularly through summer, to keep the crunch intact and the oils from going stale. Humidity is the enemy here — a single afternoon left open in monsoon air will turn them soft. If that happens, a five-minute revival in a 150C oven will restore the snap.

Nutritional Snapshot (per 30g serving)

• Calories: approximately 168 kcal
• Protein: 5 g
• Healthy fats: 13.2 g (mostly monounsaturated)
• Fibre: 1 g
• Key micronutrients: copper, magnesium, sodium (added)

Frequently Asked

How do these compare to fried namkeen calorie-wise?
A 30g serving of these dry-roasted cashews delivers around 168 calories with 13g of mostly monounsaturated fat — comparable to most savoury snacks, but with meaningful protein, fibre, and minerals attached. Fried namkeen of the same weight typically carries refined oil, refined flour, and added sugars or maida. The trade is not zero-calorie versus calorie-heavy; it is empty calories versus nourishing ones.

Why dry-roasted instead of oil-roasted?
Oil-roasting is faster and cheaper, but it adds calories from the cooking oil — usually palm or refined sunflower — and the oil itself can go rancid on the shelf, dulling the cashew flavour. Dry-roasting takes longer and demands attention so the kernels do not scorch, but it preserves the cashew's own buttery oil and keeps the ingredient list to two: cashews and salt. We think the difference is worth it.

Will the salt level overpower the cashew?
No. We salt at a level that wakes up the natural sweetness rather than dominating it. Our test is simple — you should still taste cashew first, salt second. If you compare these to mass-market roasted cashews, ours come across noticeably less salty, which is intentional. For a fully unsalted version, our raw W240 pack is a quick home-roast away from this exact product.

Free delivery on orders over 999. Direct-sourced. Naturally processed.

There is a reason Turkish figs (Anjeer) are considered the gold standard of dried fruit. Our Smyrna-variety figs come from the Söke region of Aydın province, on Turkey's Aegean coast — a stretch of land regarded as the world's premier fig terroir. Each fig is plump, amber-cream in colour, and finishes with the dense, honeyed sweetness that only sun and sea air can coax out of a fruit. We source them whole, untreated, and unsweetened, the way Aegean farmers have prepared them for centuries.

Where We Source

The Büyük Menderes river valley around Söke and Aydın is one of the few places on earth where the Smyrna fig thrives. Mineral-rich alluvial soil, bright Aegean sunlight, and the cool sea breeze that rolls in each afternoon create a slow, even ripening. Farmers there still let the fruit fall naturally to the ground at peak maturity, then sun-dry it on bamboo trays for several days before hand-grading by size and colour. Our partners deliver only the Lerida and No. 1 grades — the largest, palest, and softest of each season's harvest.

How to Enjoy

• Stuffed: Slit and fill with cream cheese, gorgonzola, or mascarpone, then drizzle with honey.
• Baked: Fold into almond cakes, oat cookies, or a classic anjeer barfi.
• Soaked: Steep two figs overnight in warm milk for an Ayurvedic morning tonic.
• Cheese boards: Pair with aged cheddar, walnuts, and a glass of red wine.

Storage & Freshness

Store in an airtight container, away from sunlight and humidity. Unopened, the figs stay fresh for 9 to 12 months. Once opened, refrigerate in Jaipur's summer months (April through September) to preserve their soft texture and prevent any sugar bloom on the surface. A light white coating is natural fruit sugar, not spoilage — wipe gently with a clean cloth before serving.

Nutritional Snapshot (per 30g serving)

• Calories: approx. 75 kcal
• Fibre: 3 g (about 12% of daily needs)
• Potassium: 200 mg
• Antioxidants: rich in polyphenols and flavonoids
• Key micronutrients: calcium, magnesium, vitamin K

Frequently Asked

Are these figs sulphured or sweetened?
No. Our Smyrna figs are sun-dried in the traditional Aegean way with no sulphur dioxide, no added sugar, and no glucose syrup coating. The natural sweetness comes entirely from the fruit's own sugars, concentrated by slow drying. This is why our figs sometimes show a fine white bloom on the surface — that is crystallised fruit sugar, a hallmark of unprocessed dried figs.

How do these compare to Indian Anjeer?
Indian Anjeer (typically Pune or Afghan-origin) is smaller, darker, and chewier, with a more rustic flavour. Turkish Smyrna figs are larger, paler, softer, and noticeably sweeter — better suited to gifting, stuffing, and dessert work. Both have their place; we source Turkish for customers who want the premium experience traditionally served at weddings and festive occasions.

Can children eat these every day?
Yes, in moderation. Two to three figs a day is a wonderful natural source of fibre, calcium, and iron for growing children. Soak them overnight in milk for easier digestion, especially for younger kids. Dried figs are calorie-dense, so we recommend treating them as a nutritious snack rather than an unlimited indulgence.

Free delivery on orders over ₹999. Direct-sourced. Naturally processed.