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A tangy and spicy South Indian soup made with ripe tomatoes, tamarind, and a fragrant blend of spices. This Andhra classic is light, comforting, and perfect served with hot rice.
For 4 servings
Prepare Tomato and Tamarind Base
Simmer the Charu
Prepare the Tempering (Tadka)

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A tangy and spicy South Indian soup made with ripe tomatoes, tamarind, and a fragrant blend of spices. This Andhra classic is light, comforting, and perfect served with hot rice.
This andhra recipe takes 30 minutes to prepare and yields 4 servings. At 89.72 calories per serving with 2.56g of protein, it's a beginner-friendly recipe perfect for lunch or dinner or supper or side.
Combine and Serve
Add 1/4 cup of cooked, mashed toor dal (pigeon peas) along with the tomatoes for a thicker, more substantial charu.
Add 2-3 extra crushed garlic cloves along with the onions in Step 2 for a more pronounced garlic flavor throughout the soup.
Increase the number of green chilies or add 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper powder along with the rasam powder.
For a sattvic version, simply omit the onion and garlic. The charu will still be delicious with the flavors of tomato and spices.
Tomatoes are an excellent source of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage and supports heart health.
The blend of spices like tamarind, cumin, and hing (asafoetida) stimulates digestive enzymes, helping to prevent indigestion and bloating.
Spices like turmeric (with its active compound curcumin) and garlic have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that can help strengthen the immune system.
Tomato Charu is a traditional South Indian, specifically Andhra-style, thin and tangy soup. It's a type of rasam made primarily with ripe tomatoes, tamarind, and a special blend of spices called 'charu podi' or rasam powder. It's known for its comforting, light, and flavorful nature, typically served with hot rice.
Yes, Tomato Charu is very healthy. It is low in calories and fat, rich in vitamins and antioxidants from tomatoes (like lycopene), and contains digestive-aiding spices like cumin, turmeric, and hing. It's a light and hydrating dish that's great for digestion and boosting immunity.
A single serving of Tomato Charu (approximately 1 cup or 250g) contains around 50-70 calories. The exact number can vary slightly based on the amount of oil and jaggery used.
While tamarind provides the classic tangy flavor, you can make it without. The tomatoes themselves provide tanginess. You might want to add an extra tomato or a small squeeze of lemon juice at the end to compensate for the sourness.
You can store leftover Tomato Charu in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Reheat it gently on the stovetop until just hot. Avoid boiling it again to preserve its aroma.
Rasam and Charu are very similar and the terms are often used interchangeably. 'Charu' is the Telugu word for 'Rasam'. While recipes vary by region and household, both refer to a thin, spicy, and sour South Indian soup. Andhra Charu often includes onions and garlic, which might be less common in some Tamil Nadu Rasam variations.