Best Mango Varieties in India: Alphonso, Kesar, Dasheri & More

With summers in full swing, the weather isn’t getting any better, but it's time for the king of fruits to make a juicy and sweet comeback! You guessed right; mango season is here to rule every kitchen in India, varying from type to region to taste. If you want to learn about the different varieties of mangoes, follow this easy guide.

The mango is a fruit so popular that it is referred to as the ‘king of fruits’, and across India, mango season isn’t just a time of ripe fruit; it’s a season of joy and celebration too. Mangoes bring smiles to people’s cheeks all throughout India since there are so many different varieties to pick from, each with its own distinct taste. From the sweet and juicy Alphonso to the tangy Langra, India is home to an astounding mango variety, each with its own unique tale and flavour. Did you know that India cultivates 1,500 different types of mangoes? This is more than any other fruit known to man, and now, with so many options, how can one choose? Don’t worry, this list is here to help you and ease your troubles in the months of summer. Although it’s impossible to cover all 1,500, this guide will help you with the 8 most popular and well-known varieties of mangoes that you should try. 

Alphanso

Alphonso mangoes, commonly known as Hapus, are regarded as one of India’s best mango kinds since these mangoes are mostly farmed in the western state of Maharashtra, namely in the Ratnagiri, Raigad, and Konkan areas. Alphonso mangoes are distinguished by their thick, creamy, and juicy texture, as well as their particular sweet and fragrant flavour. This makes them great for eating fresh or blending into desserts, smoothies, and shakes that you can make using a hand blender. They are oval-shaped and medium-sized, with a vivid yellow-orange skin and a tiny seed and have a thin skin and a rich, juicy flesh with minimal fibres. They have a brief season from March to June and are in high demand both in India and overseas. They are also sold to many nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Middle East. Alphonso mangoes have won several international prizes for their taste, flavour, and quality, making them one of the most desirable mango kinds in the world. 

Kesar

Kesar mangoes are a prominent mango type cultivated in Gujarat, India, specifically in the Gir area and are noted for their particular flavour, scent, and texture, regarded as one of the world’s most exquisite mango kinds. Kesar mangoes are medium-sized, round to oval-shaped, and weigh between 150 and 300 grams. They have a characteristic bright yellow-orange skin that is thin and silky, with meat that is firm, juicy, and fiberless. Kesar mangoes have a sweet, musky flavour with a trace of honey and a distinct scent that is sometimes referred to as “perfumed.” The fruit’s agriculture in Gujarat has a long history, dating back to the early 1930s, which is closely tied to the region’s unique climate and soil conditions. The use of traditional farming practices is believed to contribute to the exceptional quality and taste of Kesar mangoes. 

Dasheri

What you need to learn and know about Dasheri mangoes is that this variety of mango is a famous type that originated in the Northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and is named so after the hamlet Dasheri, which is near Kakori in Lucknow. Dasheri mango season in India lasts from May to June, and it is a popular ingredient in sweets, beverages, and snacks. Some popular dishes made include mango lassi, mango kulfi, mango milkshake, and aam panna, for which you need the milk to be cooked or warmed in a milk pan. The Dasheri mangoes range in size from medium to large, with a characteristic form that includes a slightly curved and pointed tip. Also, one interesting fact is that when ripe, its skin is brilliant yellow and has a pleasant and aromatic scent, the flesh is juicy and fiberless, with a thick, creamy texture and a sweet, acidic flavour. 

Langra

Langra mangoes originate in Uttar Pradesh and are named after a lame man who grew these mangoes in Varanasi. Its skin is greenish-yellow and has a distinct flavour and perfume when ripe, with fiberless, soft, and juicy insides and a sweet and tangy flavour that is somewhat acidic. They are normally available from June to July and can be enjoyed raw or ripe. In India, they are often used to make mango shakes, smoothies, ice creams, and other desserts. Langra mangoes are very perishable and should be consumed fresh. 

Chausa

They are a prominent mango type in India, with harvesting taking place between June and August; commonly consumed fresh as a dessert fruit and utilised in a variety of culinary preparations, including chutneys, salads, and desserts that can be made using non-stick pans and kadais. As the summer months are accompanied by heavy and pleasant rains around India, Chausa mangoes find their footing in homes and kitchens every day. Chausa mangoes are popular and grown largely in Northern India as they are noted for their rich, sweet, and juicy flavour, as well as their smooth, non-fibrous meat. These mangoes are normally medium-sized, with greenish-yellow skin that may have a crimson flush on the sun-exposed side. Chausa mango has flesh that is vivid orange and valued for its rich, powerful flavour and perfume. 

Amrapali

The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in New Delhi produced Amrapali, a famous mango variety, as a hybrid of the Dasheri and Neelum mango cultivars in 1971. These mangoes are medium-sized and oblong, with a pointy end, and when ripe, their skin is a beautiful golden-yellow and has a pleasant, flowery scent. The flesh is juicy, supple, and fiberless, with a smooth, creamy texture and a sweet, tangy flavour. Amrapali mangoes are highly valued for their flavour and are among the most popular mango kinds in India. They are normally available from May to June and can be enjoyed uncooked or ripe. 

Dudhiya

These mangoes are normally harvested from May to June and are commonly consumed fresh as a dessert fruit and utilised in many culinary specialities, including smoothies, ice cream, and cakes, which you can make using an OTG. Malda ‘Dudhiya’ mangoes are a popular kind grown predominantly in the Malda area of West Bengal, India. They are recognised for their sweet, aromatic flavour and juicy texture. The word “dudhiya” refers to the smooth and velvety feel of these mangoes’ skin, whereas when you bite into the flesh, it is a brilliant orange and luscious, with a rich flavour. 

Zardalu

Zardalu mangoes are a famous mango type grown largely in the Bhagalpur district of Bihar. They are known for their distinct flavour, fragrance, and texture, and are regarded as one of the greatest mango kinds in the world. They are medium to big, oval-shaped, and weigh between 300 and 500 grams. Zardalu mangoes have a characteristic greenish-yellow skin that is thin and silky, with meat that is firm, juicy, and fiberless. When you taste such manges,  your taste buds will open up to a sweet, tart flavour with a dash of spice and a distinct aroma that is sometimes referred to as “intoxicating.”