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Mango varieties with unique taste, texture, and aroma

Six mango varieties you must try this summer.(photo:IANSLIFE)

Mangoes are not just a fruit, but they are an integral part of Indian culture and cuisine. From desserts to pickles, mangoes have been used in various forms to create a plethora of mouth-watering dishes…writes Lothungbeni Humtsoe

Mango is known as the “King of fruit” in India and is one of the most loved fruits in the country. India is the largest producer and exporter of mangoes in the world, and the fruit is an essential part of Indian culture and cuisine. With over 1000 varieties of mangoes grown in India, it’s no surprise that each state has its unique variety of mango. Also, mangoes are not just a delicious summer fruit, but also a source of various health benefits.

They are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making them an excellent addition to a healthy diet. In India, there are several varieties of mangoes, each with its own unique taste, texture, and aroma. Deepak Tewari, VP, of Sourcing of Otipy shares below the list of some of the most popular varieties of mangoes sourced from different parts of India and their medicinal properties

Safeda/Badami/Bainganpalli: Sourced from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Kerala. This variety of mangoes has a sweet, juicy, and fiberless pulp. Interestingly, this type of mango is among the first varieties to hit the market. The fruit has a thin skin and is usually medium-sized. It is perfect for making mango desserts, juices, and shakes. Its health benefits are equally impressive: it’s loaded with vitamin C, a potent antioxidant that bolsters immunity and promotes collagen production, and vitamin A, which supports healthy vision and skin. Additionally, this mango variety is a rich source of potassium, a vital mineral that regulates blood pressure and fosters heart health.

Mango Kesar: Sourced from parts of Gujarat and Maharashtra. It is categorized as a premium mango due to its price. This variety is distinguished by its heavenly aroma, which is easily recognizable due to its green skin with a hint of red on the shoulders and saffron-colored flesh. In India, Kesar is well-known for its use in making a delicious glass of ‘aam-ras.’ Additionally, Kesar is often referred to as the ‘queen of mangoes. This is one of the most popular varieties of mangoes, known for its rich, sweet flavor and aroma. The fruit is small to medium in size and has a yellow-orange skin. It is used to make various mango desserts, ice creams, and shakes. Aside from its delicious taste, Kesar mangoes also offer a host of health benefits. They are a good source of dietary fiber, which promotes healthy digestion and helps regulate blood sugar levels.

Mango Dasheri: Sourced from parts of Malihabad & other parts of UP: Among the various types of mangoes in India, Dasheri is highly sought-after and is often utilized in the preparation of mango desserts and juices. This variety is known for its fiber-free flesh that exudes an alluring fragrance and delightful taste. The semi-thick, smooth, and leathery skin of the Dasheri mango has a yellowish-green hue. Additionally, this variety is rich in vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, iron, and calcium. In terms of medicinal properties, this variety contains potassium that promotes heart health and regulates blood pressure. Moreover, mangoes have anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.

Mango Langda: Sourced from UP & Bihar, also called Malda in Bengal: Langra is available in the market from July to August. Its strong aroma stands out from all varieties of mangoes. Also, this variety has green-coloured skin even after ripening. The color and aroma make it easier to distinguish from all other varieties. It has a sweet, juicy, and fiberless pulp, making it perfect for mango desserts, shakes, and pickles. Langda mangoes are a rich source of vitamins and minerals. The high fiber content in Langda mangoes helps promote digestion and prevent constipation. They also contain antioxidants that help boost the immune system and protect the body against cell damage.

Mango Chausa: Sourced from parts of western UP: Chausa, a particular type of mango, has a rich history that dates back several centuries. It was introduced during the 16th century by Sher Shah Suri. This variety of mango has vibrant yellow skin with a delightful aroma and is well-known for its soft and pulpy texture, making it an excellent choice for making juices. The fruit is medium-sized and has greenish-yellow skin, and is used to prepare various mango-based dishes such as desserts, chutneys, and pickles. In terms of nutritional value, Chausa mangoes are an excellent source of vitamin C, which is essential for maintaining a healthy immune system and promoting collagen production.

Mango Alphonso: Sourced from Devgarh-Maharashtra and Ratnagiri: The Alphonso mango is widely considered to be the most majestic among all fruit varieties. Surprisingly, it is also one of the most expensive mangoes sold in India. Alphonso mangoes are small and spherical, making them easily distinguishable from other varieties. They have a yellow color with a hint of red. This particular variety is a popular choice for making ice cream, puddings, and yogurts. Due to its smaller seed, Alphonso yields a higher quantity of pulp compared to other mango types. Additionally, Alphonso mangoes are rich in vitamins A and C, which are essential for maintaining healthy eyesight and skin, as well as boosting the immune system.

Mango Sindhuri: Sourced from Andhra Pradesh and parts of Kerala: Sindhuri mangoes are famous for their sweet and juicy flesh, which has a distinct fragrance and flavor. They are usually available during the months of May and June. They are an excellent source of vitamin C, which helps boost the immune system and promotes the production of collagen. Additionally, Sindhuri mangoes contain enzymes that aid in digestion and regulate bowel movements. They are also believed to help regulate blood sugar levels due to their low glycemic index. Moreover, Sindhuri mangoes have anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation in the body, which is a leading cause of chronic diseases like arthritis, heart disease, and cancer.

Mango Totapuri: Sour in taste, long in shape, sourced from Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh: This variety of mangoes is not sweet, but rather sour in taste. It is long in shape and has green-yellow skin. It is used to make mango pickles and chutneys. Also, the high fiber content in Totapuri mangoes may also help regulate digestion and promote gut health.

Mangoes are not just a fruit, but they are an integral part of Indian culture and cuisine. From desserts to pickles, mangoes have been used in various forms to create a plethora of mouth-watering dishes. These mangoes have their own distinct flavors and textures, but they all offer significant health benefits. From boosting the immune system to promoting heart health, mangoes have proven to be a versatile and valuable addition to any diet. So the next time you enjoy a juicy slice of mango, remember that you’re not only indulging in a tasty treat but also nourishing your body with essential nutrients.

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Nine-Year journey to grow the world famous Devgad Alphonso Mango

You know it takes nine months for a human being to be born. Did you know it takes the same number of years for your Devgad Alphonso Mango to take birth? Patrons have loved the Devgad Alphonso Mango for years, but many have been curious about how divine fruit grows. An exclusive feature to take you through the nine-year journey that your favorite Alphonso Mango goes through before it comes to you as a juicy fruit. Read on to know the Journey of The Devgad Mango. A feature by Riccha Grrover for Asian Lite International 

Well, one fact to start with. Devgad Mango does not grow out of a seed. If you plant the seed after eating a Devgad Mango fruit, you will get a mango tree, but it will bear mango fruits of a different variety and taste. The journey of the Devgad Mango begins as a small twig cut out from the mother plant. 

It is then grafted on to a stem that has grown out of a mango seed of a sturdy variety. Sometimes one twig is planted into a combination of two stems from two seeds. The graft is then tied up and wrapped with plastic tape, neatly covering it from all sides. It is similar to tying up a wound of a human being or an animal and needs similar care.

It is planted into a plastic bag and put under intensive care for the next four years.

It is kept in the bag for some months and then planted into a tin-can until it grows to a height of about 5 feet till about the fourth year. Only three out of five survive till the fourth year. In the fourth year, the bags are cut out and the little tree is planted in the orchard. Only four out of five survive till the sixth year.

Over the next three-four years, the tree needs good care, with regular pruning so that it grows sideways, equally all around. Around the end of the eight-year, the tree starts to blossom.

It starts bearing good fruit since the ninth year. Since its a grafted tree and well maintained, you have fruits hanging between 0 to 25 feet from the ground.

The maturity of a Devgad Mango is defined in India’s traditional ‘anna’ system of currency, where 16 annas make up a rupee. A ’16 anna Devgad Mango’ is a 100% mature mango. 

Devgad Alphonso fruit is harvested using a tool called as ‘zela’ in the local language. It is a loose nylon-net basket held by a metal ring and attached to a bamboo pole. A sharp V-shaped cutting tool is at the front of the ring. The harvester, after identifying a mature fruit, holds the zela from one end and carefully raises its basket-end, till the fruit is lowered into the basket and its stem rests against the V-shaped cutting tool, at a point over 6-9 inches from the fruit. Then the harvester tugs at the zela in a specific and careful manner, which does not disturb other fruits held from the same branch, does not result in any pull for the branch and yet cuts the stem from which the fruit is held, ensuring that a significant part of the fruit stem is still intact with the fruit. The fruits are taken out, and laid into a crate and immediately moved into a cool, shady place so as to shield the fruits from sunlight and heat.

Some farmers take the harvested fruit crates to their homes and do the sorting there. For sorting at home, the crates are emptied on a paper bed.

And the good, marketable fruits are arranged in a neat line for observation over the next two days.

Most farmers get the crates of harvested fruits directly to the co-operative society, where they are graded, sorted and the farmer is paid accordingly. Once graded, they are dipped into an anti-fungal solution and then arranged into crates and covered from all sides with hay, and kept for ripening.

When the fruits show signs of yellowing over the next two to five days, they are taken out and packed in wooden crates. And the fruit is dispatched then to consumers. It’s ripening process continues during the journey and becomes ready to eat in the next two to five days.

Devgad is a coastal town in Sindhudurg District of Maharashtra, in western India. It is a natural harbour Arabian Sea in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, located 200 km from Goa and 500 km from Mumbai. It is loved by tourists for its clean, sparkling beaches and the fort Vijaydurg, the place where Helium was discovered. The historical Kunkeshwar Temple is also an attraction in Devgad as it attracts a large number of devotees round the year.

Landscape of Devgad

It is the Hapus or Alphonso mango that brings world fame for Devgad. The mango cultivar grown in Devgad is best among all mango because of its unique flavour, taste, shape, colour and sweetness. Because of its fan following, many other varieties are sold in the market as Devgad Hapus. The Devgad variety can be identified by its saffron-yellow colour and thin skin. It has no fibre content, and unlike other mangoes, it can be peeled like a banana, without pulling out the kernel. 

Devgad, the heartland of Alphonso mango, is now home to one of the most advanced and largest mango processing factory in the Konkan region of Maharashtra. Devgad Taluka Amba Utpadak Sahakari Sanstha Ltd has started one of the biggest fruit/food processing plant in the Konkan region. Mango Bonds is a bond scheme from Devgad Taluka Amba Utpadak Sahakari Sanstha Maryadit, in which you pay for the mangoes in advance and in return they offer you rate protection or discount over the market rate.

The Alphonso mango is a foreign fruit that came to India through Goa along with Alfonso De Albuquerque, the Portuguese explorer and military strategist who led many Portuguese invasions in the 1600s. From Goa, the Alphonso mango traveled to different places like Ratnagiri, other Konkan region and southern side of India as well.

The Devgad Alphonso gained distinctiveness and favorable characteristics like the pleasant fruity smell, no fiber, extremely aromatic and sweet taste, becoming popular among buyers. The distinctiveness comes from the geographical conditions of Devgad as the same is not observed in other varieties grown elsewhere.

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Food Lifestyle Lite Blogs

Drinks and dessert with mango twists

It’s not just a sweet escape but is full of nutritional elements. They’re mostly made with sweet Alphonso mangoes for the natural sweet essence, so pick the right Mangoes before you blend them! …writes N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe.

Mango is popularly known as the king of fruits. What better time than now to indulge in mango-based dessert? Summer is the ideal time to indulge in some healthy and cool refreshments. With the abundance of different varieties of mangoes, we explore some interesting recipes out of India’s favourite summer fruit!

Loaded with nutrition and taste, this ripened pulpy fruit is all-in-all a dessert in itself. Grow with Kimaye, INI Farms shares drinks, and dessert you can make out of mangoes at home!

All in for Aamras – This one goes without saying and is by far the easiest dessert you can make! Nothing beats this sweet and smooth flavor on a summer noon. It’s not just a sweet escape but is full of nutritional elements. They’re mostly made with sweet Alphonso mangoes for the natural sweet essence, so pick the right Mangoes before you blend them!



Fuse the Fizz – If you are looking for something fresh and light, Mango Fizz is the ultimate solution. While lemon soda may be the summer drink, you can always add some mango pulp to twist the taste! This perfect blend of soda, lemon, mint leaves, and mango will leave you refreshed and all energized.

Make space for Cheesecake! – A mango cheesecake makes it a perfect summer dessert for those short get-togethers. The process of making a no-bake mango cheesecake is simple, easy, and delicious to devour! All you need are some rich flavored mangoes, so make sure you pick good quality ones. A rich dessert requires rich fruits!

Blend it in a Milkshake – Summers are incomplete without these, aren’t they? If you love milkshakes, mangoes are your go-to fruit! Out of the very few fruits that blend well with milk, Mango happens to be one. So, make the most of this healthy choice! You can also blend in a few chocolate pieces and make it a Mango-chocolate shake.

Mango Kesari or Halwa – The season calls for something special, and if one can blend fruits into delicious recipes, then why not? The simple recipe of halwa with mango mixture can add up to the sweet flavor. It’s an easy recipe to try at home when you’re craving something sweet and fruity!

Time for Lassi – Last but not least, Mango lassi not just makes a tasty drink but also has major health benefits. The mixture of mango and yogurt is healthy for your gut, helps in digestion, and keeps your stomach cool. With minimal effort, mango lassi is a must-have summer drink!

Fruit is a great way to get your dose of nutrients and vitamins. You can also add other fresh fruits like banana, grapes, and pomegranates to make these recipes a little more fruit-full!

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