The scientific name for this tree is mangifera indica. It is best known for its fruits. This is probably the most anticipated fruit in summer.
It is a large evergreen tree. Its fruits, both raw(green) and ripe are valued. There are around 1000 varieties in India itself. It can grow to between 15-30 metres in height. The spread of the tree at the top is similar to its height and its trunk can have a circumference of 12 feet.
Leaves of the tree are oblong in shape, shiny and dark green. The first harvest comes within 2-4 years of planting and it fruits for more than 50 years. Before the fruit appears, yellow white fragrant flowers appear in bunches around the end of winder and till the beginning of spring. In India, it starts around December in the South and according to the climate extends to February in the North.
Dasheri variety flowers for around 25 days once during December and completely opens out by February while the Neelam variety produces two crops a year.
Fruit itself is almost round but a little long and with a slight irregularity in the end, almost kidney shaped. They are normally about 8 to 12 centimeters long and greenish in colour. As they ripen, they become deep yellow.
When it is green on the outside, the flesh would be almost off white in colour. At this point the mango is very sour and ideal for pickling and for chutneys. It has a huge seed in the middle. When it is ripe, the outer peel becomes deep almost golden yellow and the flesh inside is almost orange-red. They typically mature in April and May. This fruit is highly popular throughout the world.
This has been cultivated in India for several centuries. It was domesticated in South eastern Asia before it was introduced to the world. Though the tree grows and sustains best in the tropics, it can withstand very low temperatures upto -8°C.
The soil best suited to a mango tree is sandy loamy soil; wet heavy soils do not work.
Uses
- Bark: This is widely used in India for making furniture, it is also used for making certain musical instruments across the world. This is also used to produce yellow dye.
- Leaves: It is used in religious functions and is considered to be auspicious.
- Raw Fruit: The raw green fruit is picked when it is barely and inch long to pickle it as a whole fruit. This widely popular in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. If done correctly, it can last for 1-2 years without refrigeration. It is called Vadu Maanga. This also has two varieties: one with just salt and another with salt and spices alongwith chilli powder. When the fruit grows to its full size and is still green and raw, it is picked for making many varieties of pickles – both spicy as well as sweet and sour. It is also used to make a drink (concentrate) called aam panna.
- Ripe fruit: Ripe mangoes can be eaten raw or processed into different products. Typically, it is converted to aam ras (which is eaten with puri or chapathi), juice, concentrate jams, mango puree, mango shrikhand and many more. The list is endless.
Varieties
- Alphonso is most sought after mango from Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. The story goes that there was a Portuguese general called Afonso de Albuquerque who came to India in the 15th century. The Portuguese played a role in cultivating mangoes in Goa. This probably spread to Ratnagiri (close to Goa). This has a sweet aroma and unparalleled sweet taste. Sweet and tangy flavour are amazingly balanced and totally melt in the mouth.
- Totapuri has a mild flavour and mild green colour. It is called totapuri because it resembles a tota (Hindi word for parrot). It comes from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Though not as sweet as some of the other mangoes, it is highly valued for salads and pickles. It has a thick skin.
- Banganapalli – This mango originates from the town of Banganapalle, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh in India. It is large with a smooth, thin skin. This is fibreless with a juicy pulp, sweet with a mild tang
- Priyur is a premium mango variety from Kerala. It is very sweet and has a juicy fibreless flesh. It has a rich tropical aroma and unique flavour. They are small to medium sized and have a yellow-green hue. This is almost exclusively in the heritage orchards of Thrissur and Palakkad districts in Kerala.
- Dasheri is from Lucknow . It gets its name from the Dasheri village near Lucknow, where it was apparently first grown in the royal garden of the Nawab of Lucknow.
- Kesar is a very expensive mango. The pulp colour is like kesar or saffron. It has a curved tip and a round form. It smells like kesar, hence its name. This mango is from Junagadh, Gujarat
- Langda is from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. This is available from July to August. It is oval in shape and green in colour even when ripe. They are fibreless and tangy sweet. There is a story behind this name. There was a dedicated farmer in Varanasi who had a limp (langda in Hindi means limping). He was exceedingly dedicated to his mango orchard and ensured that they produced delicious mangoes. This is named after him,
- Chaunsa – This mango got its name after a battle. Sher Shah Suri became victorious at the Battle of Chaunsa and was so happy that he named this mango after it. This is cultivated in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. It has a golden yellow colour when it is soft and is almost fibreless. It has an aromatic, sweet, pleasant flavour.
- Himsagar – Native to West Bengal and Orissa, it has a sweet aroma and is medium sized with a creamy flesh. The pulp is golden in colour. The mango itself is ovate in shape.
- Neelam is grown in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. It has a lovely scent and is available throughout the year, though it is tastiest during the monsoon. It has a sour and sweet taste.
- Badami is from the Badami town of Kanataka in Bagalkot district. It was the regal capital of the Badami Chalukyas. It is an average sized mango with a mildly sweet flavour, fibreless and smooth. It is widely used in desserts and juices. It is called Karnataka Alphonso. One story states that it is called Badam because it resembles a badam (almond).
- Malda – it is called the king of mangoes in Bihar. It is completely fibreless and is the ideal choice for chutneys due to its sweet sour taste. It is also very pulpy and tasty with a lovely aroma
- Malgova also called Malgoa is a round mango which is green with yellow hues. It has a light yellow pulp and is popular in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and other states of South India.
- Sindura – is extremely sweet with a slight tang. It has a lovely aroma. The pulp is yellow in colour. The skin is a red colour in patches with a yellow spread. This is also called Honey Mango.
- Payri – native to Karnataka, Maharashtra and Kerala. Yellow in colour with a reddish tinge on the skin and a oval shape.
- Raspuri – known as the Queen of Mangoes and consumed widely in Mysuru, Kanataka. Oval in shape, it can have a length of 4-6 inches. It is best eaten with yogurt, as a smoothie or jam.
- Devgad – this is also a variety of Alphonso mango. This is grown in Devgad, in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra. They have a distinct aroma and are known for their smooth exterior, thin skin and thick saffron pulp.
As mentioned earlier, only some of the varieties are listed. Each variety has its own specialty and must be cultivated in a particular way.
Propagation
The general method for cultivating a mango is given below:
- Typically, it is suggested that grafting is the best way to produce the particular variety required. However, seeds can also be used for propagation.
- Seeds can take 5-8 years to bear fruit while those which are grafted can yield fruits much earlier.
- The seed needs to be dehusked i.e. the thick tough outer husk must be carefully split open.
- Soak it in water. Change the water daily. This should start sprouting soon.
- Place it in a small pot with well draining soil.
- Plant the seed with the root down and sprout up
- Cover it up lightly.
- Water thoroughly after planting.
- Keep it in direct sunlight. Mango plants love heat and direct sunlight.
- Water it well
- Every 3-4 months, put some organic fertilisers.
- Since this plant grows quickly, place it into the spot on the land where it should be finally placed.
Every tree is a joy but mangoes are especially beautiful to look at. Their leaves, flowers and fruits are lovely to look at and to use. A great addition to your garden.
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