Thursday, February 17, 2011

Alphanso (Haapoos)


Alphanso mango (Haapoos in Marathi) is often referred to as the king of fruit, and is considered by many to be one of the best in terms of sweetness, richness and flavor. It has considerable shelf life of a week after it is ripe making it exportable. It is also one of the most expensive kinds of mango and is grown mainly in western India. It is in season April through May and the fruit weigh between 150g and 300g each.

The southern district of Ratnagiri and south northern parts of Sindhudurg in Maharashtra state, including regions around the Devgad and Taluka, produce the finest quality alphonso mangoes in India. The variety grown in Devgad in the Kokan region of Maharashtra is supposed to be the best. It's also the most expensive amongst the sub-breeds of Alphonso.

Mangoes are picked up from the tree when they are grown at their normal size and when their colour changes from normal green to slight reddish from the top. When removed from the tree mangoes are ripened at room temperature within approximately three to five days.

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