Editing Alphonso mango

{{Short description|Mango cultivar}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Primary sources|date=April 2023}}
{{Unreliable sources|date=April 2023}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox cultivar
| name = ''Mangifera'' 'Alphonso'
| image = ALPHONSO MANGO.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.<ref name="guard">
{{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
}}</ref>

==Origin==
The variety is named after [[Afonso de Albuquerque]], a distinguished [[militarian]] and [[viceroy]] of [[Portuguese India]] from 1509 to 1515.<ref name=guard/> [[Jesuit]] missionaries introduced [[grafting]] on mango trees in [[Portuguese Goa]], to produce varieties like Alphonso.<ref name="Alvares">{{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}}</ref> In 1563, [[Garcia da Orta]] wrote of Alphonsos grown in [[Portuguese Bombay]], which were to be presented to the governor (viceroy) in Goa.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Alphonso is also one of the most expensive varieties of mango,<ref name=guard/> and is grown mainly in the [[Konkan region]] of western India - Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka.<ref>
{{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}}
</ref><ref name="TimesOfIndia">
{{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}}
</ref><ref name="dna">{{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}}</ref> It is grown in the [[Valsad district|Valsad]] and [[Navsari district|Navsari]] districts of South [[Gujarat]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>

[[File:Alphonsomangotree.jpg|thumb|Plantation of Alphonso mangoes]]

==Description==

The Alphonso mango is a seasonal fruit harvested from end of March through the end of June.<ref name=guard/> The time from flowering to harvest is about 90 days, while the time from harvest to ripening is about 15 days.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> The fruits generally weigh between {{convert|150|and|300|g}}, have a rich, creamy, tender texture and delicate, non-fibrous, juicy pulp.<ref name=mac/> As the fruit matures, the skin of an Alphonso mango turns golden-yellow with a tinge of red across the top of the fruit.<ref name="mac">{{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}}</ref>

===Culinary===
Mango [[sorbet]], [[ice cream]], [[lassi]], [[soufflé]], [[mousse]], and [[puree]] are some culinary preparations using Alphonso mangoes.

==Trade==
The Alphonso is prized in domestic and international markets for its taste, fragrance and bright color.<ref name=guard/> It is exported to various countries, including [[Japan]], [[Korea]] and [[Europe]].<ref name=":0">{{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}}</ref>

=== Import bans ===
An import ban imposed in 1989 by the [[United States]] on Indian mangoes, including the Alphonso, was lifted in April 2007.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> However, the mangoes needed to be treated before entering the country in order to stop the introduction of non-native [[Tephritidae|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 [[United Kingdom|UK]] salad crops.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{portal|Food}}
{{Mangoes}}

[[Category:Mango cultivars of India]]
[[Category:GI-Tagged Mangoes of India]]
[[Category:Flora of India (region)]]
[[Category:Agriculture_in_Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Economy of Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Ratnagiri district]]
[[Category:Geographical indications in Maharashtra]]