Alphonso Mango

A Comprehensive Guide to Different Types of Mangoes in India

There is no trace of doubt that Mango is the most loved and popular fruit in our beautiful country- India, and why shouldn’t it be? There is nothing more refreshing, delicious and silky smooth as a bite of mango.

Did you know that there are 1500 varieties of mangoes cultivated in India? That’s more than any other fruit known to mankind. Now, with so many varieties, how does one decide? Fret not, that’s exactly what our blog is here to help you with.

Sadly, we can’t go about mentioning all 1500, but we definitely will mention the 10 most adored and well-known types of mangoes that you need to try. Ready to enter mango land? Read on!

1. Banganapalli, also known as Safedi

Banganapalli is the earliest variety of mangoes in the market and is originally from the Andhra Pradesh town of Banaganapalle (Now you know how it gets its name).

Season: April- June

Color: Bright Yellow

Shape: Oval-shaped

Taste: Slightly Sour

Other Characteristics:

• Skin is edible
• Mostly used to make preservatives
• Weighs less than other mango varieties.

2. Payri

The mango Payri just like Banganapalli marks the early beginning of the mango season. This variety of mango grows in Karnataka, Maharashtra & Kerela

Season: April to June

Color: Yellow with Reddish Tinge on skin

Shape: Oval-shaped

Taste: Sweet with a noticeable sour taste

Other Characteristics:

• Used to prepare aamras
• Quality doesn’t last for a long time so have them as soon as you can after purchasing them.
• Weighs 250 to 450 grams

3. Kesar

The Kesar mango has a distinctive fragrance to it that can liven up your house. It is grown and cultivated in the Girnar mountains of Gujarat, Ahmedabad and is named after the spice ‘saffron’.

Season: June to July

Color: Skin is dull yellow with a green tinge and inside pulp is saffron-colored.

Shape: Roundish shape with a curved tip

Taste: Sweet but Milder in taste than Alphonso’s

Other Characteristics:

• Mostly used to make aamras
• Size is small to medium
• A bit expensive than other types of mangoes

4. Neelum

The Neelam mango is primarily grown in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh and a favorite in Hyderabad. They have a lovely fragrance to them and are available throughout the season, in fact, the best produce (tastiest) is seen during the monsoon season.

Season: May to July

Color: Saffron yellow with a red tinge

Shape: Ovate Oblique

Taste: Combination of sweet and sour

Other Characteristics:

• Excellent keeping quality
• Great for transport due to high keeping quality
• Medium-sized
• Tinier than most other mango types.

5. Alphonso/Hapus

Alphonso mango is unlike any other type of mango and is the king of all mangoes. It is a native to Maharashtra but is also grown in some parts of Gujarat, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh. It is the most expensive variety of mango due to its distinct taste, color, and shape.

Season: May to June

Color: Bright golden yellow with a tinge of red.

Shape: Voluptuous Oval-shaped (ovate oblique)

Taste: Sweet with Rich flavor & creamy texture

Other Characteristics:

• Non- fibrous and juicy pulp
• Popular all around the world
• Medium-sized (4-6 inches long)

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6. Dasheri

This is the popular “chusne wala aam”. The homeland of this mango is Uttar Pradesh. It is the oldest variety of mango, and were first grown by the Nawabs of India.

Season: June to July

Color: Yellow-green

Shape: Elongated

Taste: Extremely sweet

Other Characteristics:

• Fibreless
• Used to make a variety of chutneys
• Medium-sized seed

7. Totapuri

The Totapuri mango is the easiest type of mango to identify due to its parrot beak-like shape at the tip, hence symbolizing its name. It is from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana and Tamil Nadu i.e Southern part of India.

Season: June to July

Color: Golden Yellow

Shape: Oblong with beak like pointed end

Taste: Not Sweet

Other Characteristics:

• Great for salads, pickles and mango juices.
• Large in size
• Skin is very thick

8. Chausa

Back when Sher Shah Suri wanted to celebrate his victory over Humayun, he named his favourite mango- Chausa, the town of Bihar where these mangoes are grown and cultivated. These are seen at the end of the mango season.

Season: July to August

Color: Bright yellow

Shape: ovate (egg-like) to oval oblique

Taste: Extremely sweet and aromatic

Other Characteristics:

• Mostly found in North India
• Fibrous flesh & juicy pulp
• Medium keeping quality and exported.

9. Himsagar

Amongst all the varieties of mangoes, this variety has the shortest season span of them all. Himsagar originates in Northeast regions of India such as West Bengal.

Season: May or June

Color: Green skin and bright yellow pulp

Shape: Ovate (egg like) shape

Taste: Extremely sweet

Other Characteristics:

• Thin skin & known for its aroma
• Good keeping quality
• Medium-sized
• Fibreless and fleshy

10. Langra:

This variety of mango was first grown by a farmer in Varanasi (Benaras) who was unfortunately disabled (limp) hence the name Langra came into being. It is very popular in West Bengal, Haryana, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

Season: Mid July to August

Color: Green

Shape: Ovate (egg-like)

Taste: Sweet

Other Characteristics:

• Fibrous
• High level of natural sugar
• Poor keeping quality
• Very thin skin
• Once ripened, it releases a very strong aroma.

Conclusion:

Now that you know the most popular and adored types of mangoes in India, you don’t need to be taken aback on which one to choose. It’s time to pick your favorite mango and enjoy it while the season lasts!

The summer season is here and with it comes the entry of the king of fruits- Mango, a true national obsession. With its sunshine yellow skin, hints of red, the glowing and succulent flesh- the type Alphonso is nothing short of sweet pleasure. Mango lovers, you know the feels!

If you’re one of those individuals that haven’t had an Alphonso mango yet, then you’re definitely missing something and ought to give it a try because it’s mentioned according to ample of websites in the list of “1000 things to eat before you die”.

If you’re still not convinced, here are 6 interesting facts about alphonso mango that you haven’t heard before and are sure to get you hooked. Let’s get started!

1. Alphonso was named after a Portuguese General

Believe it or not, the name Alphonso came into origination from a Portuguese general and military expert “ Afonso de Albuquerque”, that helped establish a Portuguese colony in India. Now you might be wondering what that has to do with the fruit?

A lot! It was Portuguese who was responsible for introducing grafting on mango trees to produce extraordinary and incredible varieties like the Alphonso. Hence, being a major contributor to the mangoes we relish today. Mango lovers guess we have a lot to thank them for!

2. The King of Kings (Unsurpassable Color, Taste & Texture)

If one variety of fruit had to compete with the other to own a royal territory, the alphonso mango would triumph over all the other mango types.

Did you know- In 2006 George. W. Bush (43rd president of the United States) came on his first visit to India and tried an Alphonso Mango, after having it, he said to then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that it was “a hell of a fruit’ (that he had tasted no other fruit as good as the Alphonso before)

Here is what makes them so special- The outer layer (skin) of fully ripe alphonso mangoes turn a bright golden yellow with an orange tint spread across the top and have just the right amount of firmness for a perfect bite of the slice.

Along with being rich and sweet in taste, the orange flesh of the fruit has a taste, unlike anything you’ve ever had before. It’s almost like a cross between an apricot, nectarine, peach, melon with hints of honey and citrus all rolled into one. Isn’t that amazing?!

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3. A Surprising Trade Deal:

Did you know that in 2007, the US struck a deal with India, that included the export of mangoes in exchange for Harley Davidson bikes. Although the deal didn’t pan out (work out), it sure does prove the value that Alphonso mangoes hold worldwide.

4. It is the Most Expensive Variety of Mango

Alphonso’s (locally also very popularly called as Hapoos) are the most expensive varieties of mango that are cultivated in India. To find out why this is the case, you can read our blog which answers why alphonso mango is costly.

5. Britain’s Forever Love Affair with Alphonso Mangoes

The first export of alphonso mangoes was done to London in 1953 from Mumbai’s legendary Crawford Market for the Queen’s crowning day.
Ever since the loving bond between Britain and Alphonso mangoes has remained unbroken.

6. Nutritional Facts about Alphonso Mango

Alphonso mango is a huge source of iron. Other nutritional facts include vitamin Ah, vitamin E and selenium along with being rich in antioxidants.

Conclusion

To conclude, there is no doubt that Alphonso mangoes have their own distinctive richness, taste, and aroma that can be recognized even from a distance. Now that you know all the alphonso mango facts, we hope you’ve enjoyed them.

Throughout the world, Devgad Alphonso Mango is well recognized due to its unique taste, aroma, and superior quality. The size of these mangoes is about 4-6 inches and is even in shape. Continue reading Why Alphonso Mango is Costly