An Alphonso mango is a premium type of mango that is highly regarded for its exceptional taste, flavour, texture, and sensation. It has a smooth and creamy consistency with a soft deep marigold skin. Alphonso mangoes are known for their juicy and flavorful flesh, making them highly sought after worldwide, particularly in India.
Compared to the common Tommy Atkins mango typically found in supermarkets, the Alphonso mango stands out in terms of colour, texture, and sweetness. It has yellow skin and a rich and succulent taste, while Tommy Atkins mangoes have a milder flavour. The Alphonso mango also has a much softer and supple texture, unlike the fibrous and tough texture of Tommy Atkins mangoes. Furthermore, Alphonso mangoes lack the stringy fibrous texture and are easily separated from the skin when perfectly ripe and can be eaten without gaining weight.
The name “Alphonso” originates from Afonso de Albuquerque, a Portuguese conqueror who arrived in Goa, India with a fleet from Brazil. The seeds of the common Brazilian mangoes carried by the fleet were planted in Goa, resulting in a unique mango variety. The combination of different soil acidity, and minerals, and the influence of the Arabian Ocean’s salty sea air led to the creation of the Alphonso mango.
Alphonso mangoes, a variety of Mangifera indica originating from India, are renowned for their remarkable sweetness. In India, they hold the title of the “King of Mangos” due to their exceptional flavour and texture. Different cultivars of the Alphonso mango exist, varying notably based on the specific growing conditions in their respective geographic regions. After being brought to London for Queen Elizabeth’s coronation, Alphonso mangoes gained popularity in the United Kingdom and continue to be highly sought after during their limited summer season.
Where Are Mango Alphonso Tree Grown?
The mango Alphonso tree, which is predominantly grown in India, is a significant component of mango cultivation in the country. It is estimated that there are more than 1,000 varieties of mangoes in India. The growth and quality of mangoes are greatly influenced by the specific soil and climatic conditions in which they are cultivated.
Season Of Alphonso Mango
The mango season in India follows unpredictable weather patterns, similar to those in the UK. Mangoes require hot and dry weather for proper ripening, and they suffer greatly in cold temperatures. The Indian mango season typically begins in March and extends until July or August. Alphonso mangoes are the first to be harvested, followed by Kesar and Badami as the rainy season progresses from Kerala towards New Delhi and Calcutta.
Do You Need To Peel These Mangoes?
It is generally recommended to peel mangoes before consuming them, as the skin and the pit are not commonly eaten due to their bitter taste and lack of sweetness compared to the flesh. However, it is technically possible to eat all three parts of a mango.
How Big Do The Mango Alphonso Tree Grow?
Mango Alphonso tree are considered to be a dwarf variety of mango tree, reaching heights of only 10-15 feet. This is in contrast to other mango tree varieties which can grow up to 30 feet tall. The tree has large, leathery leaves that are typically 5 to 16 inches in length and can remain on the tree for a year or even longer.
What Are The Optimum Growing Conditions For Alphonso Mangoes?
Alphonso mango trees thrive in warm temperate climates, where temperatures should never drop below 4 degrees Celsius. This is because the tree can sustain severe damage from cold temperatures. When the tree is still a young seedling, it should be exposed to bright but indirect sunlight. As it grows and matures, it requires as much sunlight as possible. Ideally, the mango tree should receive at least six hours of sunlight per day, but it grows best when exposed to eight to ten hours of sunlight. In terms of soil, it is important to provide rich and well-drained soil for optimal growth.
How Long It Takes Alphonso Mango To Grow?
The process of growing Alphonso mangoes from seedling to harvesting the first fruit is not a quick one. It requires a significant amount of time and patience. It takes about 5-8 years for a mango tree to reach maturity and start producing flowers. This initial stage is crucial for establishing a strong and healthy tree. Once a mango tree has reached maturity, it begins to flower. This is a promising sign that the tree is ready to bear fruit.
After the tree has flowered, it takes approximately three to five months for Alphonso mango fruit to grow. Patience is key during this waiting period, as the mangoes gradually develop their unique flavours.
To determine if the fruit is ready for harvest, farmers rely on their senses. They smell the mangoes, searching for a sweet scent. This scent indicates that the mangoes have absorbed the necessary nutrients and sugars from the tree, resulting in optimal sweetness and juiciness.
Crucially, if Alphonso mangoes are picked too early, they will not reach their full potential in terms of taste and flavour. Therefore, it is crucial to wait until the fruit is fully matured before harvesting, ensuring a truly sweet and delicious experience for mango lovers around the world.
Nutritious Value Of Alphonso Mango
In terms of nutritional value, Alphonso mangoes, like all mangoes, are rich in potassium and magnesium. They also provide an abundance of essential vitamins and contain enzymes that support the digestive process. Alphonso mangoes are known for their exceptional health benefits. They are an excellent source of vitamin C, which boosts the immune system.
These mangoes also contain enzymes that aid in digestion and are rich in potassium and magnesium, essential for proper muscle function. These qualities suggest that consuming mangoes helps maintain a well-functioning digestive tract, facilitating the efficient processing of fibre and protein.
Despite their sweet taste, Alphonso mangoes have a fat content of less than 1%, making them unlikely to contribute to weight gain. With their high water content and the potassium and magnesium mentioned earlier, mangoes have been associated with potential weight loss benefits.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Alphonso mangoes are highly regarded for their exceptional taste, flavour, and texture. They stand out compared to other mango varieties with their vibrant yellow skin, rich and succulent flesh, and lack of fibrous texture. Originating from India, the Alphonso mango tree requires specific growing conditions to thrive, such as warm temperatures and well-drained soil. The growth process from seedling to harvest takes years, but the wait is worth it for the sweet and delicious fruit. Alphonso mangoes also offer various health benefits, including being rich in essential vitamins and enzymes that aid digestion. Overall, Alphonso mangoes are a premium fruit that is highly sought after worldwide for their quality and taste.
FAQs
An Alphonso mango is a type of mango that is known for its delicious taste and flavour. It has a smooth and creamy texture with soft marigold-colored skin.
Compared to common mangoes found in supermarkets, like the Tommy Atkins mango, the Alphonso mango has a brighter colour, sweeter taste, and softer texture. It is considered to be a premium variety of mango.
It is generally recommended to peel the skin off Alphonso mangoes before eating them, as the skin and pit are not commonly eaten due to their bitter taste.
It takes about 5-8 years for an Alphonso mango tree to reach maturity and start producing flowers. After flowering, it takes approximately three to five months for the fruit to grow and mature.
