It’s Mango Season!

Summers in India are incomplete with mangoes. We all have childhood memories of fighting our siblings for the last piece of mango after a meal, or attending numerous mango parties, just hogging one mango after another. Often called the King of Fruits, mangoes are rightly termed so. Loved by men, women, and children across the country; mangoes are enjoyed raw, juiced, pickled, and cooked This heavenly-tasting fruit isn’t without its health benefits.

“He visits my town once a year. He fills my mouth with kisses and nectar. I spend all my money on him. Who, girl, your man? No, a mango.”  – Amir Khusrow

Apart from the fleshy aromatic fruit, other parts of the plant, like its bark, leaves, and skin, have also been proven to be useful in folk medicine for centuries. Considered a rich source of vitamins A, C, and D, mango lovers rarely wait for the fruit to turn a bright yellow indicating its ripeness before consuming it. The raw green mangoes with their crunchiness and tart flavor have a separate fanbase altogether.

Generally, ripe mangoes have a distinct aroma with sweet and supple flesh. Depending on the variety of mango, their tastes subtly vary but the consensus is that, regardless of their variety, they are luscious fruits that are simply to die for.

Being the national fruit of India, there are over 1500 different varieties being cultivated across the country. While each variety has its own distinct characteristics and a place in the hearts of the people. I’ve shared 20 of the most popular and widely consumed varieties. Enjoy!

1. ALPHONSO MANGOES (HAPUS)

Named after the Portuguese general and military expert, Afonso de Albuquerque, it is majorly cultivated in the Western states of the country, especially in Ratnagiri and the surrounding areas of Maharashtra. It is one of the most expensive varieties of mangoes, about medium in size, and has a rich yellow color. This mango has a sweet yet intense flavor.

2. TOTAPURI MANGOES

Grown in the Southern states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, this variety is especially associated with the city of Bangalore and is also known as Bangalora or Sandersha mangoes. With a greenish color, these mangoes look like a parrot’s beak and hence the name. They have a distinct aroma and mild taste which is not as sweet as most of the other varieties and are commonly used in salads.

3. SINDHURA MANGOES

Called Sindhura because of its distinct red color that resembles vermillion, this variety is also known as Rajgira in Karnataka. It is popularly cultivated in Tamil Nadu. These mangoes have a lingering aroma and such a sweet taste that it is referred to as ‘ Honey Mango’. Because of the taste, this type of mango is often used in jams and jellies.

4. BANGINAPALLI MANGOES

Also known as Benishan mangoes, this variety hails from the Banginapalli village of the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. They have fiber-free flesh and are recognized by their almost blemish-free thin yellow skin. They have a pleasant aroma and a deep sweet taste, with a slight tinge of sourness.

5. RASPURI MANGOES

Predominantly cultivated during the months of May and June in the state of Karnataka (Bangalore, Ramanagar, and Kolar to be more specific) this variety is often called the ‘Queen of Mangoes’  because of its rich flavor and juicy texture. Peddarasalu is another name of this variety.

6. CHAUNSA MANGOES

Named by Sher Shah Suri after the place in Bihar where he defeated Humanyun, this variety is majorly cultivated in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and is a favorite in North India. It is famous for its golden-yellow color, but some variants have a greenish tint as well. This mango is considered one of the best because of its juicy texture, sweet taste, and pleasant scent. 

7. PAIRI MANGOES

This variety is cultivated in Gujarat and hits the markets early in the season around April. It is distinguished by a reddish tint and is characterized by the perfect mix of sweet and sour. This mango is also very juicy and sometimes considered a great replacement for Alphonso.

8. HIMSAGAR MANGOES

Also known as Khirsapati these are grown in Malda, West Bengal, and are one of the most popular varieties. These mangoes are greenish to yellow in color and are characterized by their ovate shape, creamy flesh, and sweet aroma. 

9. NEELAM MANGOES

This variety is cultivated all over India but primarily in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. It is notable for its yellow color, relatively smaller size, and almost floral aroma. This variety is enjoyed by mango lovers around the globe. 

10. LAKSHMANBHOG MANGOES

Indigenous to the Malda district of West Bengal, this variety was chosen by the government for export to the USA for its excellent quality and flavor. It has a golden-reddish color and is just the right amount of sweet.

11. MALGOVA/MALGOA MANGOES

Larger in size than the other varieties, this mango is grown majorly in the Salem, Dharmapuri, and Krishnagiri districts of Tamil Nadu. It is roundish in shape and a blush of pink at the tip indicates ripeness. The seed is relatively small but the flesh is very juicy and sweet.

12. LANGRA MANGOES

Famously grown in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, they are also called Banarasi Langra. According to legend, this variety is named Langra (lame) because it first grew in the orchards of a lame farmer. It is distinguished by its lemon-yellow color with a greenish tinge and tastes both sweet and somewhat acidic.

13. KESAR MANGOES

First grown by the Nawabs at the Girnar Hills in the Junagadh district of Gujarat, these are some of the most expensive varieties of mangoes. It is named Kesar because of the saffron color of the pulp and the saffron-like aroma of the fruit. These mangoes are renowned for their distinctly sweet and heavenly flavor.

14. DASHERI MANGOES

This variety is recognized by its green color and is grown in Northern India, mostly in Uttar Pradesh. The variety originated in a village near Lucknow in the 18th century. It has fiberless and peach-colored flesh that is sweet and fragrant.

15. BADAMI MANGOES

Cultivated primarily in Karnataka, this variety is often called the ‘Alphonso of Karnataka’. Picked at the right time, this mango has a natural freshness and a fiberless sweet pulp which makes it a delight to have. It is characterized by a pale yellow color and thin skin through which the softness of the fruit can be felt.

16. AMRAPALI MANGOES

The Amrapali mango was first introduced in 1971 and planted in West Bengal, since then it has been cultivated across the country. It is a hybrid variant of the Neelam and Dasheri variety. It is distinguished by its deep red and pulpy flesh, however, it has a relatively shorter shelf life. 

17. MANKURAD MANGOES

Mango connoisseurs consider this variety even better than Alphonso! It is grown in Goa and reaches markets as early as April. It is famous for its glowing golden color, a flavor that strikes the perfect balance between sugar and acidic qualities, and an unusually complete absence of fiber in the flesh.

18. GULAB KHAAS MANGOES

Cultivated in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, this variety is relished by mango lovers for its rosy flavor and smell. It is known by its reddish tint or blush on the skin and is a staple in many mango-based desserts.

19. RUMANI MANGOES

Grown in Tamil Nadu, these mangoes are known for their rich flavor and juicy texture. They are recognized for their apple-like shape and are consumed not only raw but also in the form of jellies, ice cream, jam, smoothies, and yogurts. These mangoes are also extremely rich in carotenoids and thus good for one’s health.

20. IMAM PASAND MANGOES

Also known as Himayat or Himam Pasand, this is a lesser-known variety of mangoes cultivated in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu. The name suggests that it was the favorite of Indian royalty, especially Emperor Humanyu of the Mughal dynasty. It is relatively large in size and has a thin skin of yellow-greenish color. Because of its distinct aftertaste of coconut and lime and its incredible flavor, it is often called the King of Mangoes.

These are only a few of the many varieties of mangoes in the country; owing to the tropical climate, India is ideal for mango cultivation and new varieties keep coming up. There is no doubt in the fact that it is impossible to know and experience India without exploring the mangoes in the country.