Malabar Tamarind Vinegar / Kachampuli / Kudampuli / Fish Tamarind
- Tellicherry Black Pepper
- Idukki Green Cardamom
- Lakadong Turmeric
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Estimated delivery: May 19 - May 23
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Free return within 30 days of purchase.
Product description
Kachampuli AKA Malabar Tamarind Vinegar : The Kodava Vinegar
What it is:
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Kachampuli is a dark, sour vinegar.
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It is made from the ripe fruit of the Garcinia gummi-gutta tree, also known as Malabar Tamarind or Kudam Puli.
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The fruit is part of the mangosteen family.
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In the Kodava language, the fruit is known as panapuli, while the boiled extract is called kachampuli.
How it's made:
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The fruit is gathered in baskets and allowed to break down, releasing juice.
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The juice is collected and simmered gently in a clay pot until reduced and thickened.
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The liquid changes from a honey yellow to a purplish pink, and eventually to a deep purple-red.
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The resulting vinegar is a potent, concentrated, souring agent with a long shelf life.
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The vinegar can be stored in bottles for 5-6 years without spoiling.
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It may thicken further after cooling and in storage [5]. Sometimes a sediment settles at the bottom.
Taste and Usage:
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Kachampuli has a distinct sharp sour taste with a unique lingering aftertaste.
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It has fruity overtones.
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It is a signature ingredient in Kodava cuisine.
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It is essential for cooking meat, especially pork, as it contains amylase enzymes that break down proteins.
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It is also used in fish and vegetarian dishes.
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It is typically used in the final stages of cooking.
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The vinegar is used to emulsify fat, add flavour and improve taste.
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For generations in Kodagu, it has been used at a rate of half a teaspoon per 1 kg of meat.
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The reddish colour of pork after cooking with the vinegar will turn to brownish-black.
Other characteristics:
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Kachampuli has digestive properties.
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It is thought to be an appetite suppressant and weight loss aid.
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It contains Hydroxycitric acid (HCA) which is believed to boost metabolic rates and combat lipid peroxidation, thereby maintaining liver health.
The Malabar tamarind (Garcinia gummi-gutta) has a variety of regional names across India and other parts of the world, reflecting its diverse uses and cultural significance.
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English Names:
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Malabar tamarind.
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Bitter kola.
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Brindle berry.
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Gamboge.
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Garcinia kola.
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Fish tamarind
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Regional Names in India
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Kannada: Murugalu, Uppage, Aradala, Karkahuli, Mantuli, Kachampuli
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Hindi: Goraka, Velaitiimli.
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Telugu: Kodampuli.
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Tamil: Gorakkapuli, Kottukkappuli, Panampuli,kattachapuli
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Malayalam: Kodakkapuli, Kotappuli, Kutappuli,Kodampuli
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Sanskrit: Vrikshmala.
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Tamil: Goraka/kattachapuli
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Substitutes:
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If kachampuli is unavailable, substitutes include:
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Dried kudampuli (also called fish tamarind) soaked in hot water.
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Lime juice .
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Tamarind extract.
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Malt or cane vinegar.
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Kokum, either soaked and ground to a paste or whole.
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A thick black paste made by simmering a liquid of ground, strained, softened, dried kudampuli.
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Dried kudampuli can come close to the taste of kachampuli.
Additional Notes:
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Kachampuli is not always easy to find and some consider it a "mysterious" ingredient.
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Even experienced cooks may not know much about it.
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A little goes a long way, and it is easy to ruin a dish with too much.
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The vinegar can vary in colour from a plum-purple to treacly brown-black with age.
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The colour can be considered an important addition to the dark masala used in Coorg pork curry.
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A smoky flavour can be imparted to the vinegar by boiling it down over wood fires.
Additional information
| Name | Malabar Tamarind Vinegar / Kachampuli / Kudampuli / Fish Tamarind |
|---|---|
| SKU | |
| Vendor | Nilgiri Marten Spices |
| Weight | 20G, 100G, 250G, 500G, 1KG |
Shipping & return
Shipping
- Dispatch within 24 hours of order confirmation
- Free shipping on all orders above ₹1000 within India
- Flat ₹90 shipping on orders below ₹1000
- Delivery within 2 to 5 business days across India
- International delivery available, 7 to 14 business days depending on destination
- Cash on Delivery available on select pin codes at checkout
Returns and Exchanges
We pack every order with care and ship fresh from our Wayanadu warehouse. If something is not right, we will make it right.
- Damaged, expired, or incorrect items are eligible for replacement or refund within 7 days of delivery
- Notify us within 24 hours of delivery at aswinpk@nilgirimarten.com or WhatsApp +91 97783 07321
- Share a photograph of the damaged product and the outer packaging to help us process your claim quickly
- We do not accept returns on opened or used products, which is standard for food and spice products under FSSAI regulations
- Refunds are processed within 7 business days of return confirmation to the original payment method
- Return shipping costs are covered by us for damaged or incorrect items. For other returns, return shipping is the buyer's responsibility
Tracking and Delivery
You will receive a tracking link via email and SMS once your order ships. Deliveries are made Monday through Saturday. If you are unavailable, our courier will attempt delivery up to three times before returning the parcel. For any delivery issues, reach out to us on WhatsApp and we will coordinate directly with the courier.
International Orders
We ship to most countries worldwide. International customers are responsible for any customs duties or import taxes charged by their country. Please ensure your shipping address and contact details are accurate at checkout.
Product reviews
Discovery Kit FAQs
How long will the spices stay fresh?
All three spices are packed fresh within weeks of harvest. When stored in the original pouches in a cool dark cupboard, Tellicherry Black Pepper and Idukki Cardamom stay fresh for 18 to 24 months. Lakadong Turmeric Powder stays fresh for 12 months. We print the batch date on every pouch so you know exactly when it was packed.
Is the Discovery Kit suitable as a gift?
Yes. The Kit ships in a clean mailer with three GI tagged single origin spices, three printed origin story cards, and a coupon card inside. It is a natural first gift for anyone who cares about food, cooking, or ingredients. If you want us to ship directly to the recipient with a handwritten note, WhatsApp us on plus nine one nine seven seven eight three zero seven three two one with the gift message and we will include it at no extra cost.
Can I choose different spices in the Kit?
The Discovery Kit has a fixed composition of Tellicherry Black Pepper, Idukki Green Cardamom, and Lakadong Turmeric. These three are our most celebrated single origin spices and the clearest introduction to what single origin tastes like. For custom combinations, we recommend ordering the individual full size packs from our collection page. If you want to build a custom gift kit for bulk gifting, reach out to us directly on WhatsApp.
What exactly is a GI tag and why does it matter?
A Geographical Indication (GI) tag is a legal certification from the Government of India that certifies a product originates from a specific geographical region and carries unique qualities that come from that origin. Idukki Green Cardamom holds GI number 72, Lakadong Turmeric holds GI number 336, and Tellicherry Black Pepper is part of the Malabar Pepper GI registration. A GI tag guarantees authenticity and origin, similar to how Champagne must come from the Champagne region of France. It is the strongest proof that a spice is genuinely from where it claims to be from.
How do I use the ₹100 coupon inside the Kit?
Every Discovery Kit ships with a coupon card printed on card stock. The coupon code is written on the card. Apply it at checkout on nilgirimarten.com for ₹100 off any order above ₹500. The coupon is valid for 60 days from the date you receive your Kit, and it works on full size packs of any spice from our collection.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept UPI, debit and credit cards, net banking, and digital wallets like PhonePe, Paytm, and GooglePay at checkout on nilgirimarten.com. For international orders, all major cards work. We do not offer Cash on Delivery currently. If you prefer to pay via direct bank transfer or UPI before we ship, WhatsApp us on plus nine one nine seven seven eight three zero seven three two one and we will share details.
How quickly will I receive my Kit?
We dispatch every Kit within 24 hours of order confirmation from our Bengaluru warehouse. Delivery takes 2 to 5 business days across most Indian metros and tier one cities, and 3 to 7 business days in other locations. You will receive tracking details via email and SMS once the order ships. For international orders, delivery takes 7 to 14 business days depending on destination.
Are the spices organic?
Our spices are sourced from small farmers who follow traditional, low input farming practices, most of which are naturally organic. However, we do not currently carry formal organic certification on the Discovery Kit spices, because the farmers we work with run small holdings where certification overhead is not viable. What we do certify is origin, purity, and traceability. Every spice in the Kit is GI tagged, FSSAI compliant, and lab tested. No artificial colours, no fillers, no adulterants.