If you have ever been to a local market बाज़ार /मंडी (baazaar/mun-dee)  in India between late April/early May and September, you may have noticed baskets टोकरी (toke-ree) of golden yellow mangoes आम (aam) dominating the product displays.

The mighty mango is a beloved fruit फ़ल (phal) in India, and also carries the unique distinction of being the country’s national fruit राष्ट्रीय फ़ल (raash-tree-ya phal). In fact, nearly every state boasts its own variety of mango although in my opinion मेरी राय में (may-ree raay mein), the Alphonso mango variety, known locally as हापुस (hapoos) bags top spot for flavor and texture.

The mango has been the king of fruits and a fruit for kings since times immemorial in the Indian Subcontinent.The Alphonso variety, though relatively recent, has an intriguing history rooted in India’s colonial era when the Portuguese had a stronghold in some parts of the country.

If you are traveling in North India and catch the mango fever, plan a trip to Malihabad, the largest of the 14 mango belts in Uttar Pradesh state (U.P.). This town cultivates mangoes on some 30,000 square hectares of land and many of the families have reportedly been in the mango-growing business for nearly two centuries. If you happen to get mango-struck on a jaunt to southern or southwestern India, you could consider a trip to the home of the Alphonso mango in Ratnagiri in Maharashtra state.

In all there are around 300 varieties of mango grown all over India and enjoyed fresh ताज़ा (taazaa) as well as in a variety of sweet मीठी (me-thee) preparations that enhance their already-bursting flavors. My personal favorites are: fresh mango ताज़ा आम (taazaa aam), mango candy आम पापड़ (aam paa-pud), and mango kulfi आम कुल्फ़ी (mango ice-cream).

Let’s listen to this conversation between two friends who plan to go mango-shopping and treat themselves to delicious mango kulfi (ice-cream).