National fruit of India

National Fruit of India – People in India love mangoes. Did you know that there are more than 500 varieties of mangoes?

Varieties of mangoes in India

There are wide varieties; however, they belong to two main types: Indian (which includes the wide mango varieties) and hybrid.

Indian Mango

The Indian mangos are often greenish to yellow or, more rarely, orange, with a thin, oily skin that peels off in one big piece.

It is soft but not as juicy as some other types of mangos, making it perfect for preserving by pickling or drying, where they can last up to six months without any loss of flavor.

This variety tends to be sour-sweet and depends on its ripeness.

Examples of Indian type of Mango

1. Alphonso Mangoes – Ratnagiri, Maharashtra

The Alphonso mango is a unique variety of Indian mangos from Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. These types are known for their orange-yellow or green color with flesh, which has a deep red tint and an intense aroma when cut. They also have the sweetest flavor out of all the varieties in India.

2. Kesar Mangoes – Junagadh, Gujarat

The Kesar mango is a variety of mangos originating from Junagadh, Gujarat. They are green in color with flesh, an intense aroma, and a sweet flavor.

3. Dasheri Mangoes – Lucknow and Malihabad, Uttar Pradesh

This unique variety of Mango originates from Lucknow and Malihabad, Uttar Pradesh. These types are green in color with flesh with a great aroma but can be either sweet or sour, depending on the ripeness.

4. Himsagar and Kishan Bhog Mangoes – Murshidabad, West Bengal

Himsagar and Kishan Bhog Mangoes originate from Murshidabad, West Bengal. These types are green in color and have a fantastic aroma and sour flavor.

5. Chausa Mangoes – Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh

Originating from Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh, Chausa mangos are yellow with flesh with a distinctive smell and sweet flavor.

Hybrid Mango

The hybrid type of mangos, also known as smooth skin, has thin fibrous, or leathery skin that leaves an oily residue on the fingers. The flesh inside this fruit tends to be sweeter with fewer aromas, but it does not spoil quickly.

When it comes to the hybrid type of mangoes, there is also a wide variety you can choose from: There are many different types of hybrids, but they usually have some characteristics that make them stand out more than others, such as being seedless or having better consistency when ripe.

Examples of Hybrid mangoes in India

1. Amrapali Mangoes – Dashehari and Neelum

They originate from the Dashehari and Neelum types of mangoes, also known as Amrapali mangos. These types have a greenish-yellow skin with flesh with a strong aroma but can be either sweet or sour depending on the ripeness.

2. Mallika -Neelum and Dashehari

These hybrid mangoes originate from the Neelum and Dashehari type, also known as Mallika mangos.

The Mallika mango is a seedless hybrid. They tend to have fewer fibers than other hybrids, making them easier to chew; however, this also means that their skin does not peel off easily like most Indian mangos.

They need more time before being ripe and may turn out softer than others when eaten fresh because of how long they take to reach full maturity.

3. Arka Aruna- Banganapalli and Alphonso

Originating from Banganapalli and Alphonso, Arka Aruna mangos are delicious when ripe with a sweet flavor.

They do not have the same intense aroma as other varieties but tend to be seedless, making them outsmart others.

4. Arka Puneet- Alphonso and Banganapalli

It’s a unique variety of mangoes that originates from Alphonso and Banganapalli. The Arka Puneet has a flavor similar to the Alphonso but is seedless, making them stand out.

How Mango is used in Hindu festivals and ritual

Mango is used in Hindu festivals and rituals in India to spell out the meaning of life in its various stages.

They’re used in religious festivals and rituals such as Mangalvaar, Holi, Durga Puja, Diwali, Karva Chauth, etc.

It’s also used during the traditional marriage ceremony, Pooja, and auspicious occasions like the birth of a baby.

Holi is known as the festival of colors, where family and friends gather to play with colors on each other. Holi also marks the end of winter and the beginning of a new season, i.e., spring.

At this festival, people buy mangoes from vendor booths in a bazaar near their homes. While playing Holi with each other, they also eat mangoes; it’s a sign that symbolizes unity between everyone.

Saraswati Puja is a kind of Hindu tradition according to which children with lots of purity worship the goddess Saraswati and love along with their mother (on grand maa-daadi) and her father.

Mango is significant for the Saraswati Puja because it signifies purity and love in a child’s mind, which they get from parents on this special day of the Saraswati puja.

Durga Puja is another Hindu tradition where the goddess Durga is worshiped enthusiastically; people gather to perform puja and other celebrations. With full love and dedication, they offered her food items like mangoes, sweets, etc.

Many different types of mangoes are used in Durga Puja, including Banganapalli and Alphonso.

In Karva Chauth, the women fast for their husband’s good health and long life and protect him from all dangers, which signifies a strong bond between them.

On the first day (Dhanteras), they pray to Lord Ganesha to bless their husband’s long life by weaving “rangoli” at the doorstep in the early morning before sunrise. They also wear a yellow sari on this day and decorate the house with items like rangoli, lamps, etc.

The next day marks the beginning of the karva Chauth fasting time, where husbands bring mangoes and other food items to their wives to break the fast.

Mangos are used during marriage rituals and ceremonies for good health, well-being, etc. This is one of the reasons it is the National Fruit of India.

In Hinduism, Mango signifies immortals and immortality, which is why after a certain amount of time, it starts tasting sweeter than before. It symbolizes truthfulness and devotion, like God’s devotion toward his devotees.

As such, people who have faith in God consider this fruit sacred and follow rituals like  “Saraswati puja,” “Durga Puja,” “Karva Chauth,” etc., with immense enthusiasm because they know there is something more behind it all.

Health Benefits of Mangoes

• Mango is a rich source of vitamin C and contains other essential nutrients such as potassium, folate, dietary fiber, and vitamins A (beta-carotene) & B.
• Mangoes are a great way to beat the heat in the summertime because they contain more water than any other fruit type, which helps you stay hydrated while providing your body with essential minerals.
• Mangoes also contain anti-oxidants and other compounds that have been shown to lower the risk of certain cancers.
• Mangoes are also a natural mood elevator as they contain serotonin which is known for its calming effects on our body’s nervous system. They can be eaten fresh, dried, or even canned, but ensure you use ingredients that do not add preservatives such as sugar if possible.

How is Mango used as medicine?

Mango treats skin infections, stomachaches, sore throats, constipation, cough and colds and has beneficial effects on the brain.

How much is Mango produced in India?

India is the fourth-largest producer of mangoes globally after China, Mexico, and Indonesia. India exports about 1,000 tonnes of mangoes to various countries across the globe, while another 2,000 tonnes are consumed locally, raw and processed into pulp or pickles.

Mumbai is an important trading center for fresh and processed Mangoes, and other critical exporting areas are Uttar Pradesh, Delhi NCR (National Capital Region), Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat.

Where does India export its produce?

In 2017-18 India exported approximately $60 million worth of Indian mangoes to various countries, including United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iran, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Thailand, etc.

How is Mango consumed in different parts of the world?

It is commonly eaten raw as a dessert in India, and some people even like to make a drink out of it. They use it as an ingredient in soups and stews and sauces for chicken dishes in China.

South America consumes mangos raw while using its “peels” for various skin ailments, including insect bites & stings.

Mangos are sun-dried or baked and sometimes made into jams, mostly sold during holy festivals such as Maha Shivaratri, Diwali, etc.

In addition, they’re also used for making perfumes & medicines.

Mid-south-eastern countries use mangoes for their fragrance & flavor and add them to various foodstuffs.

Various parts of the mango tree

The mango tree has quite a few parts that are used differently. Mangoes grow on trees, which have trunks and branches.

The bark makes rope or baskets because it’s firm and durable. Its leaves are green and glossy; they help protect the fruit from sunburns and other stress. The leaves also have fungus-fighting properties.

“Mojito,” a famous cocktail in Cuba, uses leaves as its main ingredient. They’re also used to make rollers for cigars and cigarettes and crop fertilizer.

The tree’s roots are beneficial, too; they can be placed by rivers or ponds to prevent erosion. The roots are also helpful when heated and smothered in mud; they produce a robust and sticky substance that can be used to stop nosebleeds.

The tree’s mangoes come from the branches of the tree. Mangoes start green, turn yellow, and grow into red, orange, and purple varieties. There are also yellow, green, and pink mangoes. The fruit is a large berry with a pit in the middle filled with a more sweet yet crunchy flesh.

Conclusion:

Mango is the National Fruit of India. They have been around for thousands of years and are a delicious and healthier alternative to other fruits. They have many health benefits: vitamin C, potassium, folate, dietary fiber, and vital nutrients. With these fantastic benefits, it is no wonder India’s national fruit is the Mango.

Also Read:

• National Food of India
• National Tree of India