How Bangaloreans Celebrate with Mangoes
Summer is here again and it’s that time of the year when mangoes are abound. This king of fruits has delighted people’s senses with its sweet fragrance and delicious flavors for centuries. These golden globes are indigenous to India and have been cultivated here for more than 4,000 years now.
PC: The Hindu
Summer is here again and it’s that time of the year when mangoes are abound. This king of fruits has delighted people’s senses with its sweet fragrance and delicious flavors for centuries. These golden globes are indigenous to India and have been cultivated here for more than 4,000 years now. Karnataka especially, is well-known for its numerous varieties of mangoes, including the Alphonso, Totapuri, Raspuri, Mallika, Sundhura, Neelam, Mundappa, to mention a few.
Interestingly, the ruling dynasties of the past contributed a lot towards mango cultivation in Karnataka by introducing newer varieties and setting up mango orchards. This not only provided a source of livelihood, but also helped in controlling drought. Most of these orchards have disappeared over the years, but, in Mandya district, there exists a 20-acre heritage mango orchard known as ‘Bada Bagh’ with 116 mango trees dating back more than 200 years that were gifted to a farmer by Tipu Sultan himself.
Today, Karnataka is one of the top mango-growing states with over 1.7 lakh hectares of land being used for its cultivation. The districts were it’s popularly cultivated includes Chikkaballapur, Kolar, Dharwad and Ramanagara.
Celebrating mango delicacies
There are a number of ways in which the fruit is enjoyed by people in Bangalore. It is used in both the unripe and ripe forms. Some people even cut the mangoes into thin wafers and dry them for use during the off-season. Mango pickles are a favorite with Bangaloreans; the green mango can be cut into small cubes, big chunks or cut and dried or even cooked before pickling. The ‘Appemidi’ variety is the best for pickling here, with mango pickles being considered a must with every Bangalorean meal.
Aside from regular relishes like mango juice or mango shake made with ripe mangoes, there is also the taste bud-tingling ‘Aamras’ made with unripe mangoes and a variety of cooling spices – ideal for the summer. And that’s not all as there are numerous delicious varieties of rice dishes made with both the ripe and unripe mangoes too. Some of the popular mango curries, chutneys and desserts include the Chitranna, Aamrakhand, Gojju, Sheera, Kosambri, Seekarane, Gulamba, etc. Other lesser-known dishes include ‘Appehuli, ‘Hasihuli’, mango-curd curry, ‘Sasav’ and the ‘Holige’.
With so many sweet and tangy ways to enjoy this curvaceous fruit, it’s no wonder the mango season is a source of celebration in Bangalore. And if you want your own unique mango celebration, why not buy a home built right in the middle of a fruit orchard abounding with exotic varieties of mango trees. Check here for more information.