mango varieties

A mango originating in Bihar and West Bengal. This cultivar garnered controversy when India listed it as its own product. Countries list various products for trade purposes, which in turn affect marketing and pricing efforts. Bangladesh, a grower of Fazli mangoes, wasnt thrilled of Indias move. The country claims India may unfairly represent itself as the only supplier of this variety and dominate the market as a result.

This variety grows in Bihar and is known for its rosy flavor and its gorgeous blush. This cultivar is also the highlight of a story by a famous Indian author, Abul Fazl Siddiqi. In the story, he describes a mango contest held every five years in which the northern aristocracy judges the best new cultivar. In the end, the cultivar grown by a humble female gardener

A variety grown in West Bengal but not very well-known outside of this region. Its a thin-skinned cultivar with smooth, silky flesh and sweeter than most other varieties. The sugary pulp melts in the mouth. Himsagars come to season from mid June until the end of the month. An unfortunate short season for such a delectable variety.

This variety grows in North Bihar and sweet, but firm and fibrous. The fruit also plays a critical role in the gripping book, Balchanwa. A child recalls his father trespassing to take two kishenbhogs from an orchard. Ultimately the feudal owner of the mango tree lynches his father.

another variety that stirs great pride in Northern Indians. Its flesh is mildly fibrous and with a distinct turpentine taste. Langra also has a short season, lasting only from mid-July to the end of the month. Just as Dashehari mangos have a mother tree in Malihabad, a langra mother tree exists in Varanasi. This langra tree is believed to spawn many of Indias other mango varieties. The trees original owner was lame, and thus was born the name, langra.

This cultivar is the pride and joy of Goa. In fact, this fiberless, firm-fleshed variety often fetches a price significantly higher than the alphonso. In 2012 some buyers willingly purchased 12 early season mankurads at the price of $80 to $100. The quantity of fruits is heavily contingent on the temperature of the flowering period. Also, if the weather is too cold or hot during the tender stages, the fruits drop prematurely.

a consistent, large-yielding variety growing thoughout India and Pakistan: Hyderabad in particular is famous for this variety. Neelams come to the markets in May and last until the end of June. David Davidar romanticizes this cultivar in his book, House of Blue Mangoes, when the character Daniel proclaims, Theres no question that the Chevathar Neelam is the greatest mango in the world. Now that we know that, we need to proclaim its glories far and wide.

Grows thoughout Goa and coastal Maharashtra. Though the fruit doesnt keep well, its texture is fiberless and the taste is a delightful balance of sugar and acid. Its one of the best juicing mangos, even if mixing a more flavorful cultivar is common. Pairis have a mildly spicy aroma, and theyre best consumed when the fruit turns slightly yellow.

Its small green appearance and beak at the end of the fruit resembles a parrot, hence its name (as tota means parrot in Hindi). Unlike other cultivars, its acceptable to eat the skin of this variety. But, dont expect totapuris to be sweet like the other cultivars, either! This variety is a bit crunchy and tangy, best served with salt and chili powder. One could also pickle this cultivar quite easily.

Hailing originally from Florida, Tommy Atkins is the most widely grown commercial variety coming into the United States.