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Amma Desam
Trade

Authentic spices and culinary blends from Sri Lanka

Spices prepared in Sri Lanka the way it is done at home: sorted, roasted, then ground.

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Palmyra palms on the red earth of Sri Lanka

Our story

அம்மா தேசம்

Mother’s land

In Tamil, Amma Desam means mother’s land. The place where curry is made at home, and where its aroma tells everyone the meal is on its way.

In Sri Lanka, every family has its own curry. A blend of spices sorted by hand, roasted in a pan, then ground to a powder. The recipe is handed down, never quite written out.

Amma Desam starts with one of those recipes. Our curry is prepared in Sri Lanka, then reaches you with the taste it has there. For those who grew up with it, and for everyone who wants to discover it.

The ingredients

What makes a Sri Lankan curry

A curry powder brings many spices together. These three give it its character.

Dried red chilli on textured paper

மிளகாய்

Dried red chilli

It brings the heat and the colour of the blend.

Coriander seeds on textured paper

கொத்தமல்லி

Coriander seeds

The base of the blend. Once roasted, they take on a warm, slightly citrusy aroma.

Sprig of fresh curry leaves

கறிவேப்பிலை

Curry leaves

The aroma you recognise at once in Sri Lankan cooking.

The craft

Sort, roast, pound

The traditional method comes down to three steps. It is the one that guides our recipe.

1

A hand sorting coriander seeds

Sort

The seeds are sorted by hand, one handful after another. Only the best are kept.

2

Spices roasting in an iron pan over a wood fire

Roast

The spices go into the pan, over the fire. The heat wakes up their aromas and gives Sri Lankan curry its brown colour.

3

Spices pounded in a stone mortar

Pound

They are then pounded and ground to a fine powder, ready for cooking.

A small heap of Amma Desam curry powder

Our first blend

கறித்தூள்

The curry powder

A roasted curry powder, prepared in Sri Lanka from a family recipe. One or two spoonfuls are enough for a dish.

It flavours a chicken, fish or prawn curry, as well as vegetables, lentils or fried rice.

Origin Prepared in Sri Lanka

Packaging Doypack pouch

Availability Coming soon

More spices and blends will follow.

Aubergine curry served in a bowl, with rice

In the kitchen

கத்தரிக்காய் கறி

Aubergine curry with coconut milk

Serves 4 · Prep 15 min · Cooking 25 min

Ingredients

  • 500 g aubergines
  • 1 onion
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 1 sprig of curry leaves
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons Amma Desam curry powder
  • 200 ml coconut milk
  • 1 teaspoon tamarind paste, or the juice of half a lime
  • Oil and salt

Method

  1. Cut the aubergines into wedges and salt them. Fry them in oil for 6 to 8 minutes until golden, then set aside.
  2. In the same pan, fry the sliced onion, chopped garlic and curry leaves for 3 to 4 minutes.
  3. Add the curry powder and stir for 30 seconds, until it releases its aroma.
  4. Pour in the coconut milk and the tamarind diluted in 100 ml of water. Return the aubergines to the pan and season with salt.
  5. Simmer gently for 12 to 15 minutes, until the sauce thickens. Serve with rice.

Frequently asked questions

Cooking with Sri Lankan curry powder

How is it different from Indian curry powder?

In Sri Lanka, the spices are usually roasted before they are ground. The curry powder is darker, with a toasted aroma and a clear note of curry leaves.

How do I use it?

Fry onion, garlic and curry leaves, add one or two spoonfuls of the powder, then pour in coconut milk or a little water. Simmer with meat, fish or vegetables.

How should I store it?

Reseal the pouch after each use and keep it in a dry place, away from heat and light. The aroma lasts longer that way.

Where can I buy Amma Desam curry powder?

It is coming soon. If you are in the trade, contact us now to offer it to your customers.

Trade

Offer Amma Desam to your customers

We are preparing our launch. Get in touch to receive our terms and to hear when we go on sale.

Grocers

An authentic Sri Lankan curry for your spice shelf.

Restaurants

The same blend, service after service, for a consistent menu.

Wholesalers

Bring the brand to your customers.

Contact us