Alphonso Mango – The World’s Most Expensive Mango

Alphonso Mango

Affectionately known as the King of Mangoes, Alphonso is an Indian mango variety with a natural saffron colour and mouth-watering flavour. It is a source of pride in the region it hails from and makes an appearance on many “1,000 things to eat before you die” lists, but how much is the world’s most expensive mango really worth?

The Alphonso season lasts from April until June and the luscious fruit is in high demand around the world. Despite its short season, the eponymous fruit has become more popular than ever in the UK. The voluptuous, sunshine-yellow skin reveals succulent flesh that’s like a cross between melon, nectarine, and peach with notes of citrus and honey. Alphonso has captured the imagination of chefs like Richard Corrigan, Yotam Ottolenghi and Vivek Singh. It’s even found its way on to dessert and cocktail menus at restaurants across the country.

While most varieties of Alphonso Mango are available all year round, the Alphonso is in its prime from April to May and this is when prices rise significantly. It’s easy to understand why, as this variety is so delicious. It is also a very healthy fruit, containing vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, potassium, and folate.

Alphonso Mango – The World’s Most Expensive Mango

During its brief season, the fruit is enjoyed in dishes such as curries, drinks like lassi and falooda, sweetmeats including shrikhand, and simply eaten pulped and dipped in milk or cream. A mango is the perfect snack to satiate cravings and curb hunger pangs, which is why it’s a staple in most Indian households.

India’s obsession with the fruit is reflected in the fact that Alphonso was ordered the most on Zepto, the country’s largest online grocery platform, last month. The mango variant is said to have been in high supply, as the harvest started early this year due to good weather conditions and the monsoon.

The Alphonso was a hit in the US too, where it was sold at the farmers’ markets in New York City and on the websites of Indian groceries and online retailers such as Amazon. It has also made its way into the diet of celebrity chefs such as Mario Batali, who serves it at his NYC restaurant Del Posto.

Mangoes are hardy and resilient fruits but they require a lot of care to produce their best. They are often subject to adverse weather conditions and plant & fruit diseases, which can lead to crop failures, making them one of the most expensive crops for farmers to grow. This is why they are only cultivated at select places with appropriate climate conditions. For this reason, the production of the fruit is limited and that is why it is so expensive. Sun Impex, a leading agro-products supplier, plays an important role in supporting local farms to overcome the challenges that they face. They provide training to farmers on best farming practices, pest and disease management, and help market their products.