First things first...ACHAR is a Hindi word meaning PICKLES.

In India before the advent of commercially prepared achars, each household made its own when raw mangoes were in season. Achars can be a single or multiple item such as raw mangoes, lime, carrots, green chillies with coriander, lotus roots etc., in a variety of spices such as red pepper powders, salt, mustard, lemon, sugar, molasses,etc. With oil.

They are hot , sweet or sour, but best of all a mix of all three that you will taste on different parts of the tongue.

In Indian homes, there is usually at least 3~4 types at every meal.YOU DON't eat them by the spoonful but with every bite take some, usually by your fingertip, gives a lot of meaning to finger licking good...

Often expats coming back from India will back home made varieties, ones that reminds you of just that taste you grew up with...

There are dozens of brands available in almost all the countries ( you can take an Indian out of India but not the achar out of an Indian !).

You can go to any Indian grocery store and by a variety. ( PM me for info ).

Questions welcome .

BTW Sweet Willie, time to organize that Indian buffet meal, lunch even on a Saturday / Sunday, right in our neighborhood !!!!!!