We cannot call summer a happy season without mentioning mango. India is known as the land of mangoes and the “king of fruits”. The juicy fruit has some 1,500 varieties, with distinct taste, shape and colour, and is refined in different parts of the country. Mango is consumed in the form of shakes and also used as chutneys, summer drinks, juices and pickles and even in curries in some cuisines. The different flavours and textures make Indian mangoes one of the most sought-after fruits in the world. Mangoes make you feel soothing and ‘cool’ in the hot summertime. They represent the cultural facet of our country to the world.
Here are the top 10 popular mango varieties that are cherished across the country.
1- Hapus/Alphonso
Hapus is one of the most popular varieties of mangoes. Native to Maharashtra, it also grows in Gujarat and Karnataka. Hapus is easily recognizable due to its saffron-coloured, fiberless flesh and sweet taste. A medium in size, elliptical in shape, orange-yellow; the juice is moderate-abundant; excellent keeping quality, good for pulping and canning; mainly exported as fresh fruit to other countries. Available during mid-July
2- Dasheri
It is a mango cultivar which originated in a village near Kakori in Lucknow district in 18th century The largest mango-producing state in Dasheri mango is a. It is a sweet and fragrant variety of mango mostly grown in North India and the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. Moreover, they are easily differentiable due to their green peels. It’s the largest-selling variety of Mango in India. It has a fibreless flesh that makes it a favourite among mango lovers And is available from mid-May to late August.
3- Totapuri
Bangalore, is famous for its Totapuri mangoes, also known as Bangalora or Sandersha mangoes. The greenish-yellow mangoes are the mango lovers’ delight! Totapuri is also one of the significant varieties of mangoes in our country with a distinct taste and smell! It hails from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the flesh of this variety is not sweet like other varieties but is great for salads and pickles. And mainly one can quickly identify this type of mango due to its beak-shaped tip, availability is from May to July.
4- Kesar
Kesar mangoes are known for their saffron appearance and heavenly taste. This variety, highly renowned for its distinct sweet flavour, is considered to be the ‘Queen of Mangoes’. Girnar Hills of Junagadh, Gujarat are famous for the Kesar mangoes that were first cultivated by the Nawabs of Junagarh in 1931 and named Kesar in 1934. This mango is highly reputed for making extremely tasty yet creamy aamras, as well as mango-based jellies, jams, pickles, mango pulp and many more. Available from May to July.
5- Badami
Badami is Karnataka’s leading mango variety and its best-consumed months are from April to July. Jam-packed with nutrients, this variety has a very thin skin, popularly known as the Alphonso of Karnataka state. No other variety of mango is comparable to the sweetness of Badami Aam, as these are perfect for the preparation of mango juice or shakes.
6- Chaunsa
This kind of mango is renowned for its juicy, aromatic flesh and sweet taste and is popular in North India and Bihar available in July and August. Greenish-yellow in colour and have rich pulp, which you can suck directly from the fruit. It is an excellent source of Vitamins like Vitamin C and Vitamin A, as well as minerals like Potassium.
7- Himsagar
Himsagar mangoes are known for their sweet, juicy pulp and distinctive aroma in Murshidabad. It can be found medium-sized with no fibre, used for making desserts and shakes. Well known for types like Kishan Bhog, Himsagar, Nawabpasand and Begumpasand, Murshidabad is an important producer and exporter region of India. Mangoes are available from May to Early June.
8- Neelam
Neelam mangoes are famous for their bright orange flesh, sweet taste, and minimal fibre and are grown mostly in every part of India. The tastiest and unique species of these mangoes hail from Andhra Pradesh in May, June, and July. These mangoes are available throughout the season. However, it’s the June harvest during the monsoons that truly captures their tastiest essence.
9- Raspuri
Among the bright yellow stands out the reddish tinge. Raspuri draws your attention with its shade before impressing you with its taste. Popularly called Pairi in Maharashtra, where it also shares a notable prominence. Typically, they are picked in the late spring and summer that is May and June Aamras, aam ras malai, and aam panna are just a few of the traditional Indian cuisines that feature raspuri mangoes.
10- Banganapalli
Originating from Andhra Pradesh, Banganapalli is also known as Safeda Mango. The mangoes are yellow with a white tinge and are prized for their sweet flavour, aroma, and smooth texture. Often called ‘The King of Mangoes in South India’, this fruit is significantly larger than other types of mangoes commonly sold mid-season in the market. The mangoes are huge and available between March and June.
From juicy and sweet Hapus to tropical and spicy Totapuri, the mango varieties in India offer a delicious range of textures and flavours, making it heaven for mango lovers. Each of them has different tastes and distinctive characteristics. Explore the different varieties of mango available in India and enjoy the sweet texture and flavour that explodes a font of juicy goodness in every bite.
