Mangoes Of India: How Many Types Are There?

1.Alphonso

Considered to be among the most superior mango varieties in the world, the Alphonso mango is famous for its sweetness, flavor, and richness. The variety was introduced by a Portuguese general Afonso de Albuquerque in India. It was first grown in the country’s Konkan region in Gujarat, Goa, Maharashtra, and then also was grown in some southern states like Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. 

Today, Alphonso is among one of the most expensive mango cultivars. India’s Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg districts in the Konkan region are most famed for the production of these mangoes. The mangoes have a low fiber content and a rich, creamy, tender texture. The mangoes when ripe have a golden yellow color with red tinge at the top. The flesh is golden saffron in color. Alphonso mangoes are eaten as it is or used to prepare ice creams, sorbet, lassi, mousse, puree, soufflé, etc.

2. Benishan

The Benishan or Banganapalli is a mango cultivar that grows in the Indian subcontinent with India and Pakistan being the leading producers of this fruit. The fruit was created by the Zamindar of Panyam and was gifted to the Nawab of Banganapalle. The Benishan mango is around 14 cm in length, obliquely oval in shape, has thin, smooth yellow skin, and yellow flesh. The best thing is that the flesh lacks fibers and is nice and firm.

3. Chok Anan 

The chok anan is a sweet variety of mango that grows in India, Pakistan, Thailand, and Bangladesh. The mangoes are light yellow in color and fruits twice a year, in summer and in winter, a fact that is unusual for the predominantly summer fruit that mango is.

4. Dasheri

Dasheri grows mainly in North India with India’s Uttar Pradesh state being the biggest producer of this mango. The fruit is also cultivated in the Andhra Pradesh state in South India, and is also grown in Pakistan and Nepal. The mango is now exported to many international destinations like the countries of South-East Asia. The mango was first grown in the gardens of the Nawab of Lucknow. 

5. Fazli

Fazli is a mango cultivar that grows in West Bengal (mainly Malda district) and Bihar in India, and also in Bangladesh. These mangoes which are quite large in size (up to a kilo in weight) are commonly used in jams and pickles. The fruit is also exported.

6. Gir Kesar

Gir Kesar mango is a cultivar of mango grown in Girnar, Gujarat. The fruit is famous for its bright orange pulp. It was first cultivated in Vanthali in 1931 by Junagadh Wazir Sale Bhai. The mango is cultivated in an area of about 20,000 hectare and has an annual production of 2 lakh tons. The mango is cultivated in the large sections of the Saurashtra region of Gujarat but only the mangos cultivated around the Gir sanctuary are formally labelled as the "Gir Kesar mango.” Cultivation starts in October and produce reaches the market by April. It is one of the most expensive varieties of fruit.

7. Imam Pasand/Himayat 

As the name suggests, the fruit is said to be the favorite one of India’s royalty and it is claimed that the taste of these mangoes rivals that of the Alphonso variety. The Imam Pasand mangoes are grown in Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. The mangoes are not too attractive looking and are blotched yellow-green in color and weigh around 800 grams. It is said that the Mughal Emperor Humayun loved this mango variety and hence it was named “Imam Pasand” meaning the “Imam’s Favorite.”

8. Himsagar

The Himsagar is a highly popular cultivar of mango that is from West Bengal in India. It is also cultivated in Rajshahi in Bangladesh. The mango is considered to be the most superior mango cultivar in the world in terms of aroma and taste. It is also called the “King of Mangoes.” The mango lacks any kind of fiber and has a yellow to orange colored flesh. The pulp content of the 250 to 350 g fruit is 77%. The mango is so famous that many poems and songs have been dedicated to this delectable mango. The mango is cultivated in the West Bengal districts of Nadia, Maldah, Hoogly, and Murshidabad. Bihar and Orissa also grows this fruit.

9. Lakshmanbhog

The Lakshmanbhog mango cultivar is grown in the West Bengal state in India. Here, it grown primarily in the Maldah District in extensive orchards that are about 32,000 hectares in size. It is also the chosen variety to be exported to the US by the government of the state.

10. Langra

The Banarasi Langra or simply the langra is a cultivar of mango primarily grown in Varanasi as well as in some other parts of Northern India. The mangoes retain their greenish tinge while ripening and is harvested in late July. The mangoes are gaining popularity worldwide and are used for canning and slicing.

11. Mallika

The hybridization of the mango cultivars of “Dasheri” and “Neelum” gives rise to Mallika. The mango is of high quality and fiberless. The fruit is exceptionally sweet and has slight honey, melon, and citrus notes. It is a relatively new cultivar of mango and is fast becoming popular.

12. Raspuri

Raspuri is a highly popular variety of mango consumed in Karnataka, South India. The cultivar is grown in and around Bengaluru, Kolar, Chikkaballapura, Tumakuru, and Ramanagara. The mangoes are oval-shaped and about 4 to 6 inches long. The ripe fruits have a reddish yellow color and the flesh is sweet, and has has rich aromatic flavor. Raspuri is an excellent source of vitamins A and C. Juices, jams, drinks, nectars, and a wide variety of desserts are prepared using this fruit.

13. The Ginimoothi/Totapuri/Sandersha

This mango cultivar is widely grown in South India and is also cultivated in Sri Lanka. It is a popular variety of mango that is grown for its high-quality juicy pulp.

The tabular list of mango cultivars grown in India is provided here (it features both the cultivars mentioned in the list above and some other varieties.)