Alphonso mango
{{Short description|Mango cultivar}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Primary sources|date=April 2023}}
{{Unreliable sources|date=April 2023}}
}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox cultivar
| name = Mangifera 'Alphonso'
| image = Mangoes in Bangalore (2025) 19.jpg
| image_caption = Alphonso mangoes
| genus = Mangifera
| species = Mangifera indica
| cultivar = 'Alphonso'
| origin = India
| marketing_names = Hapus
}}
The Alphonso mango is a named mango cultivar that originates from India. In the UK in 2012, it was considered one of the most prized mangoes, known for its saffron-coloured flesh and culinary uses in various dishes and desserts.
{{cite web
| url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2012/apr/27/do-you-know-alphonso-mango
| title=Do you know Alphonso mango?
| work=The Guardian
| author=Sukhadwala, Sejal
| date=27 April 2012
}}
Origin
The variety is named after Afonso de Albuquerque, a distinguished militarian and viceroy of Portuguese India from 1509 to 1515. Jesuit missionaries introduced grafting on mango trees in Portuguese Goa, to produce varieties like Alphonso.{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/the-jesuits-and-the-mango/articleshow/68894908.cms|title=The Jesuits and the Mango|work=The Times of India|last1=Alvares|first1=Patricia Ann|date=15 April 2019}} In 1563, Garcia da Orta wrote of Alphonsos grown in Portuguese Bombay, which were to be presented to the governor (viceroy) in Goa.{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/how-indias-mango-diplomacy-has-been-winning-friends-and-foes-over-the-years/articleshow/59076409.cms|title=How India's mango diplomacy has been winning friends and foes over the years|work=The Economic Times|author=Vikram Doctor|date=10 June 2017|access-date=4 January 2023}}. The Portuguese loved the flavour of the fruit and replicated it using the grafting technique. Alphonso is also one of the most expensive varieties of mango, and is grown mainly in the Konkan region of western India - Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka.
{{cite web
| url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/the-king-at-your-doorstep/
| title=The king at your doorstep
| author=Nagpaul, Dipti
| publisher=Indianexpress.com
| date=15 May 2014}}
{{cite web
| url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/alphonsoes-from-devgad-and-sindhudurg-get-gi-tag/articleshow/58351364.cms
| title=Alphonsoes from Devgad and Sindhudurg get GI tag
| publisher=The Times Of India
| date=25 Apr 2017
| author=Bhavika Jain}}
{{cite web | url=http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-geographical-indicator-approved-for-devgad-alphonso-growers-2220683 | title=Geographical indicator approved for Devgad Alphonso | publisher=DNA India| date=7 Jun 2016}} It is grown in the Valsad and Navsari districts of South Gujarat.{{Cite web |last1=Thomas |first1=Melvyn Reggie |date=June 7, 2017 |first2=Himansshu |last2=Bhatt |title=Gujarat: South Gujarat produces 180 varieties of mangoes |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/south-gujarat-produces-180-varieties-of-mangoes/articleshow/59024895.cms |access-date=2022-05-28 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}
Description
The Alphonso mango is a seasonal fruit harvested from end of March through the end of June. The time from flowering to harvest is about 90 days, while the time from harvest to ripening is about 15 days.{{Cite journal|display-authors=3 |last1=Deshpande |first1=Ashish B. |last2=Anamika |first2=Krishanpal |last3=Jha |first3=Vineet |last4=Chidley |first4=Hemangi G. |last5=Oak |first5=Pranjali S. |last6=Kadoo |first6=Narendra Y. |last7=Pujari |first7=Keshav H. |last8=Giri |first8=Ashok P. |last9=Gupta |first9=Vidya S. |date=2017-08-18 |title=Transcriptional transitions in Alphonso mango (Mangifera indica L.) during fruit development and ripening explain its distinct aroma and shelf life characteristics |journal=Scientific Reports |language=en |volume=7 |issue=1 |pages=8711 |doi=10.1038/s41598-017-08499-5 |pmid=28821734 |pmc=5562913 |issn=2045-2322|doi-access=free }} The fruits generally weigh between {{convert|150|and|300|g}}, have a rich, creamy, tender texture and delicate, non-fibrous, juicy pulp. As the fruit matures, the skin of an Alphonso mango turns golden-yellow with a tinge of red across the top of the fruit.{{cite web| url=http://www.macleans.ca/2010/05/05/the-king-of-mangoes/| title=The king of mangoes |publisher=Macleans, Rogers Media| date=5 May 2010| author=Subramanian, Sarmishta| access-date=24 March 2011}}
=Culinary=
Trade
The Alphonso is prized in domestic and international markets for its taste, fragrance and bright color. It is exported to various countries, including Japan, Korea and Europe.{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/konkan-alphonso-king-of-mangoes-gets-gi-tag/articleshow/66093181.cms|title=GI tag for Konkan Alphonso |date=6 October 2018|work=The Times of India |access-date=8 October 2018}}
= Import bans =
An import ban imposed in 1989 by the United States on Indian mangoes, including the Alphonso, was lifted in April 2007.{{cite web |url=http://www.iimahd.ernet.in/publications/data/2008-03-04Rastogi.pdf |title=Indo-US Trade in Wheat and Mango: A Game-Theoretic Approach to SPS Standards |publisher=Iimahd.ernet.in |access-date=2015-06-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150409034945/http://www.iimahd.ernet.in/publications/data/2008-03-04Rastogi.pdf |archive-date=2015-04-09 |url-status=dead }} However, the mangoes needed to be treated before entering the country in order to stop the introduction of non-native fruit flies, destructive fungi, and other pests that could harm American agriculture. The European Union imposed a ban beginning in April 2014 on import of mangoes after finding "non-European fruit flies" in some consignments, creating a significant threat to UK salad crops.{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Alphonso-mango-makes-a-comeback-in-UK-after-7-month-ban/articleshow/47331981.cms | title=Alphonso mango makes a comeback in UK after 7-month ban | work=The Times of India| date=18 May 2015 | access-date=26 May 2016 | author=Sinha K}} The Indian government had described this decision as arbitrary and businesses claimed they would suffer financial losses due to the ban.
In January 2015, the European Commission lifted the ban following significant improvements in the Indian mango export system.{{cite web | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/alphonso-mangoes-eu-lifts-ban-on-indian-mango-imports-9990412.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122022013/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/alphonso-mangoes-eu-lifts-ban-on-indian-mango-imports-9990412.html |archive-date=2015-01-22 |url-access=limited |url-status=live | title=Alphonso mangoes: EU lifts ban on Indian mango imports | publisher=The Independent, Independent Digital News & Media, London, UK | date=20 January 2016 | access-date=26 May 2016}}
{{Commons category|Alphonso}}