Mango varieties available in Gujarat

MANGO, the word itself keeps us tempting. With the onset of the summer season itself, kids start demanding for ripe and juicy mangoes. Not just kids but everyone loves to relish mangoes. It’s the “King of fruits“. Not just the ripe mangoes, people enjoy raw mangoes too. Many kind of pickles are prepared during the season, which are devoured round the year.

There are around 1000 varieties of mangoes found in the world. Out of them, majority of species are are cultivated in India. India produces around 15.14 million tons of mangoes every year. Gujarat itself produces 13 lakh tons of mangoes which contributes around 7% in the total lot.

The most famous types of mangoes available in Gujarat are Alphonso, Kesar, Rajapuri, Totapuri, Dasehri, Langra, Neelum, Badam, Jamadar and Vanraj.

Alphonso

It is one of the most superior varieties of mangoes because of its flavor, richness and sweetness. It is referred as “Happus” in the western region. It is believed that it is named after Afonso de Albuquerque, military expert who helped establish Portuguese colonies in India. The portugese people taught us the method of grafting mango trees to produce these extraordinary varieties. It’s a medium sized fruit which is orange yellow in colour. The pulp is used to prepare candies and crushes. It is also canned and widely exported.

Kesar

It is famous for its vibrant kesar colour and sweetness. It is best used for preparing Aam-Ras (thick mango juice). It is medium oblong in size with a red blush on the shoulders. It is cultivated only in Gujarat. It is also known as Gujarat Kesari and best enjoyed raw. It has a very intense aroma which spreads out in the house upon its arrival.

Rajapuri

This variety is widely used for making pickles as it is big in size, has lots of flesh and a small seed.

Totapuri

It is oblong shaped with a pointed base and golden yellow colour. It is used in preparing Aamras. It generally arrives early in the season.

Dasehri

Dasehri or Dussheri is one of the oldest varieties. It was originated almost 200 years back. This is best enjoyed during the end of the season. The taste of this variety will surely tempt you for 2-3 mangoes at a stretch.

Langra

It is very sweet and of lettuce green colour. The skin is usually very thin compared to the rest. It is believed that it is named as ‘Langra’ as the owner of the mother tree was lame. It is very fibrous with a unique taste.

Neelam

Neelum is one of those varieties which is harvested throughout India. It is yielded in large quanties and is an early bird in the market. It has a saffron yellow colour.

Badam

It is a large sized variety which ranges around 800g to few kilos per piece. It is fibreless , with lot of flesh and a beautiful yellow colour. It is mostly used for making juice.

Jamadar

It is a rare variety of mango which is available in Gujarat and Karnataka only.

Vanraj

It is usually oval in shape with a tinge of red near the top. It is popular in the state especially Vadodara region.

Apart from the above mentioned mango species, other famous mango species found in India are as follows:

1. Husnaara
2. Aabehayat
3. Zawahiri
4. Amrapali
5. Lucknowi
6. Rumani
7. Bombay Green (Sarauli)
8. Banganpalli
9. Samar Behest Chausa
10. Fazli
11. Kishenbhog
12. Himsagar
13. Gulabkhas
14. Zardalu
15. Airi
16. Malkurad (Goa)
17. Beneshan
18. Bangalora
19. Suvarnarekha
20. Taimoorlang
21. Mulgoa
22. Raspuri
23. Allampur Beneshan
24. Himayuddin
25. Chosa
26. Jehangir
27. Cherukurasam
28. Bathua
29. Bombai
30. Fernandin
31. Mankurad
32. Mundappa
33. Olour
34. Pairi
35. Safeda
36. Raspoonia
37. Mithwa Sundar Shah
38. Mithwa Ghazipur
39. Taimuriya
40. Sharbati Begrain
41. Gilas
42. Nauras
43. Sukul
44. Rasgola
45. Hardil-aziz
46. Cherukurasam
47. Peddarasam
48. Kothapalli Kobbari
49. Chinna Rasam
50. Cheruku Rasam
51. Pedda Rasam
52. Mallika
53. Ratole
54. Kaju
55. Sindhu
56. Himayat
57. Khatta Meetha
58. Panchadara Kalasa
59. Manjeera
60. Arkapuneet

Mangoes are savored in the whole world because of the nutritional value, unique flavor, fragrance, and taste. So do enjoy the fruit till your heart’s content this season.