What is the first thing to pop into your mind when I say summer? Is it vacation? Or the scorching heat? Is it ice creams? Or is it mango, the king of the fruit world?
Our beloved mango or aam is available in many variants in India. From Dussehri in the north to Banganpalli in the south.
But the best of this natural delicacy is found in Konkan. Alphonso or Hapus is considered the best of all mango variants.
It has a delectable aroma, beautiful orange-yellow skin, and the richest and creamiest pulp. It is eaten as it is or used to make desserts.
The Hapus season begins in March and lasts through May. With such a short season, Hapus has become one of the most sought-after summer products.
Alphonso: The Origin Story
Did you know that this delicacy came from Portugal? A Portuguese military officer Alphonso de Albuquerque brought the Hapus mango to India.
He also taught Indians the art of grafting plants. After grafting a few saplings, Mr. Albuquerque successfully grew what became one of the best mango variants.
The taste, aroma, and flavor of Hapus aam are second to none. It is so unique that it has become a global favorite!
The pulp of Hapus is orange-yellow. It is mostly fibreless and has a beautiful aroma.
Devgad and Ratnagiri Alphonso
What makes or breaks an Alphonso is its taste, aroma, and flavor. The soil and the climate of the region in which an Alphonso is grown greatly impact these parameters.
The Konkan region's volcanic soil, terrain, and topography enable it to produce the best quality Alphonso aam.
Of the five districts spanning over 150,000 hectares producing this delicious fruit, Devgad and Ratnagiri stand out the most.
These two regions produce premium quality fresh Alphonso mango. Ratnagiri Hapus is much juicier than other types of mangoes. It has a stronger aroma which easily fills the room.
Devgad Hapus has thinner skin. Thus, you get more pulp in this variant. Also, this pulp is much thicker and more delicious.
The superior quality of Devgad and Ratnagiri Hapus has awarded it a GI tag. A GI tag is a hallmark of quality. It grants intellectual rights to the producers of a specific region, growing the best quality of that product.
But is it possible to get Hapus aam in a town as far as Satara? Definitely! A beautiful and quaint town like Satara can, should, and must be able to enjoy this delicious treat!
Want to know how? Well, keep reading, and you'll know.
Buying mangoes: A Guide
There are a few things that you need to remember when buying this delicious fruit.
All that glitters isn't always gold: color isn't an adequate indicator of ripeness. Your fruit may look yellow on the outside but may not be ripe on the inside.
Touch tells it all: touch is an excellent indicator of ripeness. If your aam is hard to touch, it is probably raw. A ripe aam feels soft to touch, and you can feel the tenderness of the flesh, just like that of a peach or a pear.
Aroma to your rescue: ripe mangoes release a fruity fragrance around the stem. So, smell your aam before you eat it.
