How do you like eating mangoes? Do you take the skin off, cut it into pieces, and arrange it nicely on a plate? Or do you just go for it like Katrina Kaif in that soft drink ad, where you dig in until the golden yellow juice drips down your wrist? Whichever way you like it, the truth is that mangoes make you go weak in your knees. From the colour to its smell and of course, it’s mesmerising taste–there is nothing not to like. Feeling it already? See, that’s why mangoes are the king of fruits.
There are 12 varieties of mangoes that grow across the country and each one has its own unique flavour and essence. Go to the north of the country for the Chausa mangoes. They are the sweetest varieties around and will bowl you over with their taste. Then you have Alphonso, from the western part of the country. The south of India feasts on Badami, Neelam, and Raspuri; while the east has the best of the lot in Himsagar. Of course, no one can forget the smell of Langra as well. Let’s round it off with UP. Dasheri nahi khaya toh kya khaya?
When it’s time to bid farewell to summer and welcome soothing monsoon, a bittersweet feeling takes over. Nothing feels better than some respite from the heat. But then again, this is also the time to say goodbye to beloved mangoes. That hurts, right? We feel the pain too! How we wish mangoes could stay with us all year round, through thick and thin, rain or shine.
If they did, we could have mango milkshake any time of the year, without having to wait for summer. The unparalleled blend of mango pulp, milk, and sugar is something we don’t want to deprive ourselves of eight to nine months of the year. Not just that, who doesn’t want to end their meal with a bowl of aamras? Then there are people who would love to have a glass of mango lassi throughout the year. Then there are those who favour aam panna, which is good for digestion and amazing to taste. It doesn’t end there, there’s mango cheesecake too! Okay! Let’s pause a little!
Now, let’s get on to the chatpata side of mangoes. Come March, raw mangoes take over the market. Lemon, carrots, garlic, chilli, and other veggies that are pickled all take a backseat, as the king of all fruits invades that achaar ki barni. Aam ka achaar just enhances the taste of a simple dal-chawal! Even if the dal doesn’t turn out to be well made, a mango pickle is always the saviour.
They say good things come in small packages and it doesn’t get truer than this. Dear mango, you are missed! We don’t want to say goodbye… but we will meet again soon! Au revoir…
