28 April,2011 07:52 AM IST | | The Trip Team
This summer, hit the mango trail across Maharashtra and Gorge on the Alphonso, Ratna, Kesar or Pairi for your seasonal indulgence
It's a matter of pride that Maharashtra boasts of a massive 50% share as far as mango produce in India is concerned. Little wonder then that come May and the mention of the Alphonso -- dubbed as the King of Mangoes, sends the mango lover into a tizzy. Scour through Konkan's villages of Raigad and Ratnagiri districts and one comes across acres of mango orchards that produce varieties like Pairi, Totapuri, through late April, May and June.
The A-lister among mangoes is naturally, the Alphonso. Named after Portuguese explorer Alfonso de Albuquerque, it arrived in Goa, and soon its popularity spread to neighbouring Maharashtra. The Konkan and its surrounding belt are synonymous with this variety in particular. With a pulp inside and lush orange character, it's easily the most sought after and its fruits are medium sized (250 g), with an attractive blush towards the basal end. Its pulp is firm, fibreless with excellent orange colour.
These days, mango festivals have managed to draw in tourists about this region's rich produce. Mango festivals are being held across bigger towns in Konkan, Pune and other mango growing regions across the state. Such fests introduce tourists to the world of mangoes, by taking them to mango orchards in bullock carts, giving them the experience of climbing mango trees to pluck mangoes and finally, treating themselves to a mango overkill. Interested?
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