Indian summers can sometimes be extreme, but it’s when we get to taste the ‘King of Fruits’, Mangoes, fresh from the orchards. In India, the mango season starts in mid-April and continues till August. People love to indulge in the delicious taste of mangoes whether consumed directly or in the form of juices, jams, pickles, shakes, etc. Also, our previous post on the mango’s journey from farm to table is worth reading.
India is the world’s largest producer of mangoes. It produces around 1.09 crore tons of mangoes every year and contributes to about 57.18% of the total mango production worldwide. Around 1500 varieties of mangoes are grown in India. A combination of sunlight and rain creates an ideal climate setting for growing mangoes and Indian summers ensure the same. From the nawabi Dasheri mangoes to parrot beak-shaped Totapuri, many amazing mango varieties are available in the Indian markets every year. Let’s get to know the top 10 mango varieties of India.
1. Alphonso
Alphonso mangoes are considered the ‘King of Mangoes’ because of their rich taste and unmatched sweetness. These mangoes are native to Maharashtra and are now also grown in Gujarat and Karnataka. Ratnagiri, in Maharashtra, is a famous hotspot for Alphonso mangoes. Moreover, it is one of the most expensive and world’s most popular mango varieties. It is exported to countries including Europe, Japan, and Korea. Also, Alphonso is one of the oldest mango varieties in India. It is believed that this variety was developed by the first Portuguese after his arrival in India.
2. Kesar
Kesar mangoes got their name as the color of their pulp resembles saffron, a spice used in Indian kitchens. This variety of mango is popularly known as the ‘queen of mangoes’ in India. Junagarh, in Gujarat, is the place where juicy Kesar mangoes are grown and distributed all over the country. When it comes to export, the demand for Kesar mangoes is higher in the US as a large Gujarati community prefers Kesar over Alphonso. In 2020, of the total mango exports from the country, Kesar accounted for 50-55% of the total outbound shipment.
3. Dasheri
Dasheri mangoes are grown in Lucknow and Malihabad in Uttar Pradesh. However, the major grower of these mangoes is Mahilabad which is 30 km away from Lucknow. Dasheri mangoes can easily be distinguished from other mangoes because of their elongated shape, unique taste, and skin. This fiber-free, pulpy mango is high in Vitamin C, Vitamin A, iron, zinc, and calcium. The Dasheri name actually came from the Dasheri village near Kakori in UP where a 200-year-old mother plant exists.
4. Himasagar
Himasagar is one of the choicest varieties of mango grown in the Murshidabad district of West Bengal. However, you can also find this variety in Bihar. Like the Alphonso, this mango is also famous for exports. However, when it comes to our own country, Himsagar mango is difficult to get outside the state. It shares a sweet space with other local varieties of West Bengal, Begum Pasand, and Kishan Bhog. This ripe green coloured mango has a creamy pulp that makes it ideal for preparing desserts and shakes.
5. Chausa
As its name suggests, Chausa is one of the ‘sucking’ varieties of mango that exudes a heady aroma. It is mainly grown in the Hardoi district of Uttar Pradesh and in Bihar. Chausa is popularized by emperor Sher Shah Suri. After his victory over Humayan at Chausa in Bihar, he gave his favourite mango the name of the city. Chausa is high in nutritional value. Its juicy pulp is being used in home recipes for years. The mango starts to appear in the fruit markets by the beginning of the monsoon.
6. Badami
Badami is one of the leading mango varieties grown in Karnataka. Badami mangoes have a sugary-sweet taste similar to Alphonso. That is why these mangoes are as popular as the Alphonso of Karnataka. Apart from Karnataka, these mangoes are also grown in Maharashtra and Gujarat. The fruit is available to be enjoyed at the beginning of the mango season. With bright golden-yellow skin and a heavenly taste, this mango variety is packed with an abundance of nutrients.
7. Safeda
Also known as Banganpali, Safeda mango has its origin in Andhra Pradesh. It enjoys the same royal status as Alphonso but only in South India. This variety has always been a fruit of choice for the nawabs of Andhra Pradesh and other royalties. It is bigger, fleshier, and has lovely bright skin with a few white spots on it. A single piece of Safeda can weigh up to half a kilo. However, sometimes you could also get three in a kg. India exports Safeda mangoes to the countries like USA, Singapore, Japan, UK, UAE, and Canada.
8. Langda
Langda mangoes are native to Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. However, these are also popular in states like West Bengal, Bihar, and Haryana. It is believed that this variety of mango is named Langda as it was first grown by a farmer who was limp. These oval-shaped, green-coloured mangoes are sweet as well as acidic in taste. Also known as Banarasi Langra, these are usually harvested at the end of July, after the monsoons.
9. Totapuri
Totapuri mango is native to Karnataka. It is also grown in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. The mango has the most unique shape of all the mangoes known in India. It is oblong, has a pointed tip, and is greenish-yellow in colour. It is named Totapuri as it is green and its beak resembles that of a parrot. The fruit’s sweet and sour taste makes it popular as it can be relished in the form of chutneys, pickles, and salads. These mangoes hit the market early in summer.
10. Mulgoa
Mulgoa is found in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Mulgoas are among the first Indian mangoes which are grown commercially in the USA. This mango variety arrives in the Indian market in the middle of the mango season. In 1889, a professor named, G Marshal Woodrow took 12 saplings of mangoes to a retired professor living in Florida. Ten of the 12 trees died, but two varieties, a Malgoa and an Alphonso survived. The big and fleshy Mulgoas are known to have a longer shelf life.
We hope that after reading this article you will be able to better distinguish between different varieties of mangoes available in different mandis of India. We hope you enjoyed this article. Tell us your favourite takeaway in the comment section below. Also, stay tuned for more articles from Bijak experts in the future.
We hope this article inspired you to go out and buy different varieties of mango! We’re curious to know what your favourite variety is – please do share in the comment section below. Like, share and follow the Bijak blog for more informative articles every week. Bijak is India’s most trusted agri-trading app that acts as a meeting point for farmers, Buyers(commission agents), and Suppliers. It sees daily trade in over 150 commodities (including mangos!). If you’re an agri trader, you can download the Bijak app from Google Playstore and Apple App Store. You can also call us at 8588998844 or email us at contact@bijak.in.