No single mango variety covers the whole Indian season, because each type ripens in its own region and month. Alphonso opens the season from the Konkan coast, Kesar follows from Gujarat, and Dasheri, Langra and Chausa carry the north through summer.
India grows more mangoes than any other country. Wikipedia puts India at roughly 43% of world output, about 26 million tonnes in 2023, though the FAO figure also includes mangosteens and guavas. Behind that number sit hundreds of named varieties, each tied to a place and a few weeks of the year. This guide lists the main ones, in plain terms, so you can choose what to eat and when.
How Indian mango varieties differ
Named varieties such as Alphonso are propagated by grafting, because seed-grown trees do not repeat the parent's fruit. That is why a variety stays recognisable across orchards, and why each one belongs to a region with the right soil and climate. When you compare two mangoes, look at four things:
- Region and season. Early, mid and late varieties follow each other.
- Flesh. Creamy and non-fibrous, firm and juicy, or stringy.
- Sweetness and tang. Some varieties are sweet, others balance sweet with a clear tartness.
- Best use. Eating, aamras, juice, milkshakes or pulp.
Indian mango varieties at a glance
Seasons below are rough guides. They shift with the year, the weather and the region, so use them to plan, not to promise a date.
| Variety | Home region | Usual season (rough) | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alphonso (Hapus) | Konkan coast, Maharashtra | About February to June | Creamy, non-fibrous, rich aroma |
| Kesar | Saurashtra, Gujarat | About April to June | Orange flesh, sweet and aromatic |
| Pairi (Payari) | Maharashtra and the west coast | Early to mid season | Tangy-sweet, often used for aamras |
| Banganapalli | Andhra Pradesh | About April to June | Large, mildly sweet, firm flesh |
| Totapuri | South India | About May to July | Parrot-beak shape, tangy, used for pulp and juice |
| Himsagar | West Bengal | About May to June | Sweet, soft, very little fibre |
| Dasheri | Uttar Pradesh | About June to July | Sweet, juicy, long-time north Indian favourite |
| Langra | Varanasi region, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar | About June to August | Sweet with a tang, stays green when ripe |
| Chausa | Uttar Pradesh | About July to August | Very sweet, late season |
These are descriptions, not rankings. The best mango is the one you like, picked at the right time and ripened without shortcuts. A variety that is ordinary in the wrong week can be superb in its own, which is why the calendar matters as much as the name. If you are buying for a family with mixed tastes, a tangy type and a sweet type together tend to please everyone, and you can compare them side by side.
Alphonso, the Konkan benchmark
The Alphonso is named after Afonso de Albuquerque, and mango grafting was introduced in Portuguese Goa by Jesuit missionaries. Wikipedia describes the pulp as rich, creamy and non-fibrous. The fruit generally weighs 150 to 300 g. Alphonso from the Ratnagiri and Devgad belt is GI-tagged in India under GI No. 139.
We are AlphonsoMango.in, run by Powle Home Foods in Mumbai. We source across 48 villages of the Ratnagiri and Devgad belt, and we hold GI Authorised User certificate AU/5974/GI/139/260 (GI No. 139). Our fruit is harvested at Brahma Muhurta, the pre-dawn hours, and picked by hand. We do not use carbide. Our Alphonso mangoes are ripened naturally on hay beds. Alphonso is harvested about February to June, with the best supply from March to May. Our 2027 season opens on 1 February 2027.
Choose Ratnagiri Alphonso or Devgad Alphonso. Both are the same variety, from different parts of the same coast, and both start from Rs 1,849 per dozen. A dozen weighs roughly 1.8 to 3.3 kg depending on grade. Check the product page for today's price. For the GI details, see our GI tag explainer.
Kesar from Gujarat
Kesar is said to have been grown in 1931 by the Junagadh Wazir Sale Bhai, and is said to have been known as Kesar since 1934, when the Nawab of Junagadh remarked on its orange pulp. The name comes from kesar, saffron. Buyers who want a sweet orange-fleshed mango often choose it as the season moves on. We sell Kesar mango by the box, from Rs 999 per box, and you can read more in our guide to Gir Kesar mango.
Other flagship varieties
- Dasheri and Langra. Two mainstays of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar that arrive after the Alphonso season. We list a Dasheri mango page; check it for stock and units.
- Chausa. A late, very sweet variety of the north.
- Banganapalli. A large, mild variety popular across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
- Totapuri. Tangy, firm and widely used for juice and pulp, which APEDA lists among the common mango pulp varieties. See our Totapuri mangoes.
- Pairi. A tangy-sweet west coast mango, often chosen for aamras. See Pairi mango.
- Salem and Malgova. Large Tamil Nadu mangoes; see Salem mango and Malgova mango.
For a longer list, see our pages on Indian mango varieties and how many mango varieties India has.
Which variety for which use
| If you want to | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Eat slices or halves | Alphonso, Kesar, Himsagar | Soft, sweet flesh that eats well fresh |
| Make aamras | Alphonso, Kesar, Pairi | Pulp that blends smooth, with good aroma |
| Make juice or a milkshake | Totapuri, Langra, Alphonso | Juicy flesh; tangy types balance sweet milk |
| Cook with pulp when fresh is out of season | Alphonso pulp tin | Available all year, no waiting for harvest |
| Send as a gift | Alphonso, Kesar | Familiar names that recipients recognise |
Best mangoes by region
People often ask for the best mango in a state. These are the varieties most associated with each region, not a ranking:
- Uttar Pradesh: Dasheri, Langra and Chausa.
- South India: Banganapalli, Totapuri, Neelam and Alphonso grown in the south too.
- Maharashtra and the Konkan: Alphonso, with Pairi in the mix.
- Gujarat: Kesar.
- West Bengal: Himsagar.
Can you eat fresh mango all year?
Not fresh Indian mango. Varieties follow each other from early spring to late monsoon, but the tree rests for the rest of the year. Fresh Alphonso is not sold outside its season, and Alphonso pulp tins, from Rs 590, are available all year. Our mango season guide gives the usual calendar.
People also ask
Which is the best mango variety in India?
There is no single best variety, because taste and region differ. Alphonso is the benchmark for creamy, non-fibrous pulp from the Konkan. Kesar suits those who like orange flesh, Dasheri and Langra suit the north, and Banganapalli the south. Pick by season, flavour and how you plan to eat it.
Which mango is available all season?
No single mango covers the whole season. Alphonso is harvested about February to June, Kesar follows, and Dasheri, Langra and Chausa arrive later. Each variety has its own weeks. Outside Alphonso season, pulp tins are available all year, but fresh Alphonso is not sold.
What are the top mango varieties of India?
Alphonso, Kesar, Dasheri, Langra, Chausa, Himsagar, Banganapalli, Totapuri and Pairi are among the best known. Each is tied to a region and a season. Alphonso leads the Konkan coast, Kesar represents Gujarat, and the Uttar Pradesh trio of Dasheri, Langra and Chausa dominate the northern summer.
What is the best mango variety in Uttar Pradesh?
Dasheri, Langra and Chausa are the best-known varieties of Uttar Pradesh. They arrive after the Alphonso season, roughly from June to August, and each has loyal fans. Dasheri is sweet and juicy, Langra balances sweet and tang, and Chausa is late and very sweet.
Related searches
- Indian mango varieties
- How many mango varieties does India have?
- Types of mangoes
- Best mango in the world
- Buy Gir Kesar mango online
- Pairi mango online
- Alphonso mango season guide
- Best mangoes in Bangalore
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia, Mango.
- Wikipedia, Alphonso mango.
- Wikipedia, Gir Kesar.
- APEDA, Mango Pulp, accessed October 2026.
- Geographical Indications Registry of India, public search record for application 379, Devgad Alphonso Mango (merged with application 139), accessed October 2026.
Written by Prashant Powle, founder of AlphonsoMango.in. Last reviewed October 2026.