And the mango mania continues...

SWEET BITE

With mango lovers flocking to retail outlets and bazaars all over the City to gorge on the delectable fruit, some savvy shoppers actually go all the way to the wholesale mandis and get their favourite variety at an unbeatable price. Metrolife takes a look at what’s on offer at one of the large wholesale mandis in the City.

Mateen Aga, a wholesale mango dealer in the City, has been in the business for the last 41 years. 

 He sources mangoes from the whole of the Southern region and deals not in dozens or kilograms but in tonnes and truckloads of the fruit and is a veritable encyclopedia on each strain, flavour and variety.

He says, “Mangoes are high in antioxidants, low in carbohydrates and an excellent source of beta-carotene (Vitamin A). They also contain Vitamin E and selenium, which help protect against heart disease and cancer. You can even obtain 40 percent of your daily fibre intake from these sweet delicious fruits, with their infinite variety and flavours. There are over 1,000 varieties world wide,” he adds.

“Ripe mangos hold the highest levels of beta carotene, while green mangos are higher in Vitamin C. These antioxidant carotenoid are known for their protective power against certain cancers. Mangoes also supply potassium to the body, making them ideal for hypertensive patients or anyone looking to replenish energy after intense physical activity,” says Aga.

A quick overview will take you on a virtual tour of what should be in your fruit basket this season and how much it will cost you. Alfonso, (also called Hapoos), is cultivated mainly in Ratnagiri and is exported worldwide. 

Oval-shaped with a golden yellow pulp, it is very sweet and rich in flavour. The price ranges from Rs 25 to 30 per kg wholesale. Raspuri, on the other hand, is oval in shape and reddish yellow in colour. It has a warm sweet taste, which sometimes has a pleasant tartness to it. The price is Rs six to 10 per kg, wholesale.

Mallika (a cross between Neelam and Dasheri varieties) is distinctive in shape and colour, this extremely sweet, silky mango is non-fibrous with a strong floral bouquet. 

 It is priced at Rs 8 to Rs 15 per kg wholesale. Sendura heralds the start of the mango season. Bright red, fibrous and not very flavourful, it is priced from Rs 7 to 10 per kg.
Neelam makes its appearance towards the tail end of the season. 

Ochre-yellow in colour and extremely sweet Neelams have a strong tendency to pick up bugs. They are priced from Rs seven to Rs 10 per kg. Baiganpally is a native of Andhra and ranges from very sweet to slightly insipid with a very thin skin. The price ranges from Rs eight to Rs 10 per kg. ‘Totapuri’ is shaped like a parrot and is perfect for pulp or juice. This variety tastes best-eaten semi-ripened with a dab of chilly powder and salt. The price is Rs six to Rs seven.

The wholesale mandi is located at APMC Yard, Opposite L&T Factory, Bytrayanapura. 

Not all prices mentioned are for the wholesale buyer. Be prepared to pay 50-75 per cent more in retail shops and markets. Several markets in the City like Russel, KR Market, Yeshwantpur and Malleswaram have their own versions of the big ‘mandis’ but some old-fashioned haggling is also required to get the best price. 

Minimum wholesale purchase in the mandi is a crate weighing 25 kg. 

The mangoes come green and raw and are meant to be ripened at home preferably in straw.