Q. 1 What are Devgad Alphonso mangoes or Devgad Hapus Amba? 

A.  Devgad is a coastal town in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra. It is situated on the Konkan coast and the region is known for its beautiful beaches, historical forts, and natural beauty. Devgad is also famous for its Alphonso mangoes and recognized globally as the leading exporter of Alphonso mangoes.

Devgad Alphonso mangoes are well-known for their distinctive flavor, saffron yellow colour, sweet aroma, no fiber and rich texture. Devgad’s unique climatic conditions, soil, and cultivation practices contribute to the special characteristics of Devgad Alphonso mangoes and make them highly desirable among mango enthusiasts. 

The Devgad Alphonso mango season typically starts in late March and continues through June. These mangoes are prized for their premium quality and taste, and people across the country eagerly wait for their arrival during summer.

Q.2 How to identify a Devgad Alphonso mango?

A.  Buying an original Devgad Alphonso mango is not as easy as it seems. Nowadays, the market is flooded with artificially-ripened, carbide laden Alphonso mangoes, which makes it harder to identify and buy original Devgad Alphonso mangoes.

Here are some practical ways to identify a real Devgad Alphonso Mango. 

• Aroma: A unique and distinctive aroma is one of the primary factors to identify a Devgad Alphonso mango. Devgad Alphonso mangoes have a strong, sweet aroma. You should be able to smell the mango’s enticing fragrance even before picking it. The smell fills the entire room and you can even smell it from a distance. 
• Shape: Devgad Alphonso mangoes are typically bigger fruits as compared to Ratnagiri Alphonso with an oval shape.
• Color: The Devgad Alphonso mangoes have greenish or yellowish gradients on the skin. They are not perfectly yellow like other chemically ripened Alphonso mangoes.
• Skin Texture: Devgad Alphonso mangoes are soft to touch. They have smooth and relatively thin skin. Their skin is easy to peel like a banana while chemically ripened Alphonso mangoes have thick skin and they are hard to touch. 
• Taste: Great taste is the most definitive characteristic to identify a Devgad Alphonso mango. The unique taste of Devgad mango lingers in your mouth the whole day and you would be able to distinguish it from other mango varieties with its unique taste. 

 It’s important to note that Devgad Alphonso mangoes are seasonal, and their availability is limited starting from March, extending up to June. By keeping the above mentioned pointers in mind, you can buy an original Devgad Alphonso mango this summer.

Q. 3 Why Devgad Alphonso mangoes are costly? 

A.  Devgad Alphonso mangoes are often referred to as the “King of Mangoes,” due to their unique taste and other distinctive characteristics (juicy and non-fibrous texture, supreme aroma). It is also costlier than other popular varieties of mangoes in India and  some of the prominent reasons are- 

• Limited Geographical growing area: Devgad mangoes are primarily cultivated in the Devgad region of Maharashtra. Devgad has unique soil and climatic conditions that are suitable for growing high-quality Alphonso mangoes. This limited geographical area restricts the supply, and as a result, causes a hike in price. 
• Short Season (high demand Vs limited supply): The Alphonso mango season is relatively short. It typically starts from March and extends up to June. This short season leads to increased demand, causing a rise in price. 
• Premium quality and Taste: Alphonso mangoes from Devgad are well-known for their exceptional flavor, colour, sweetness, and aroma. The taste and eating experience they provide are considered superior to many other mango varieties and make them a premium product.
• Transport and Handling: Alphonso mangoes from Devgad need to be transported to various parts of India and even to international markets. Proper handling, packaging, and transportation add extra charges and contribute to the overall cost of Alphonso mangoes.

Q. 4 What is the cost of Alphonso mango?

A. The cost of Alphonso mango depends upon various factors such as location, size and quality (grades) of Alphonso mangoes. In general, Alphonso mangoes are costlier than all other varieties of mangoes due to their unique taste and non-fibrous, creamy texture. On average, one dozen of Alphonso mangoes cost around 1000-1800 INR. Another factor is the region, eg: Alphonso mangoes from Ratnagiri are slightly cheaper as compared to Alphonso mangoes from Devgad.

Moreover, the cost of Alphonso mangoes is highly dependent upon its grade. Alphonso mangoes come in various grades such as grade A, grade A+, grade A+++ etc. Grade A, Alphonso mangoes are less expensive than grade A+++. Typically, one dozen Grade A Alphonso mangoes cost around 1000-1100 INR, while Grade A+ Alphonso mangoes cost around 1500-1600 INR.

Additionally, the cost of Alphonso mangoes can be different from different retailers. Make sure to buy Alphonso mangoes from reputed (preferably GI-certified) sellers to ensure great quality.

Q. 5 What are the health benefits of Alphonso mangoes? 

A.  Alphonso mangoes not only taste good, but they offer plenty of amazing health benefits as well. Here are some great health benefits of Alphonso mangoes. 

• Nutrient-Rich: Alphonso mangoes are a good source of essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin K, potassium, and folate. These nutrients play an important role in maintaining overall health and well-being. 
• Boost immunity: The vitamin C content in Alphonso mangoes helps support the immune system. It boosts your body’s ability to fight off infections and illnesses.
• Support Digestive Health: Mangoes contain dietary fiber, which aids in digestion and helps prevent constipation and improves your digestive health. 
• Improve Eye Health: The vitamin A in Alphonso mangoes is essential for maintaining good vision and eye health.
• Lower the risk of cancer: scientific studies suggest Mangoes contain lupeol which helps in lowering the risk of gastric and gallbladder cancer.

Though Alphonso mangoes provide plenty of health benefits, diabetes patients should consume them moderately. Excessive consumption may cause an increase in blood sugar levels. 

 Q. 6 Can I store Devgad Alphonso mangoes in the refrigerator?

A.  Ideally, no. Devgad Alphonso mangoes are not supposed to be kept in the refrigerator for storing purposes. Devgad Alphonso mangoes are tropical fruits. They grow and survive well in hot weather properly. If you store Devgad Alphonso mangoes in the freezer, the cold air will absorb their moisture and will alter their taste. Hence, it is advisable to store Devgad Alphonso mangoes at room temperature and consume them when they are ripe and fresh. 

In India, most of the sellers sell semi-ripe Devgad Alphonso mangoes to avoid the condition of over-ripening during transportation. Thus, in the usual case, you will receive semi-ripe Devgad Alphonso mangoes with delivery.

For hastening the ripening process, you can place the mangoes in a paper bag or hay. This traps the natural ethylene gas and helps ripen them faster. Be sure to check on them regularly, as they can ripen quickly once this process starts. Furthermore, avoid putting Devgad Alphonso mango under direct sunlight as it may deteriorate its quality and taste. 

Q.7 Ratnagiri Alphonso mango or Devgad Alphonso Mango? Which one is better? 

A. Devgad and Ratnagiri are the two most popular places in India for Alphonso mangoes. Both regions produce great-quality Alphonso mangoes, however, there are some significant differences between them.

• Place of origin: Devgad Alphonso mangoes are produced in Devgad which is a taluka (coastal town) hence, there is a limited production of Alphonso mangoes in this region while Ratnagiri is a larger district, therefore it produces large amounts of Alphonso mangoes.
• Look and color: Devgad Alphonso mangoes are not perfectly yellow. They usually have red or green gradients on the skin while Ratnagiri Alphonso mangoes are more yellow or saffron in color. 
• Size: Devgad Alphonso mangoes are larger than Ratnagiri Alphonso Mangoes. 
• Aroma: Devgad Alphonso mangoes have a stronger aroma than Ratnagiri Alphonso. Devgad Alphonso fills the entire room with their sweet aroma and creates a mouth-watering experience due to this smell. 
• Taste: Ratnagiri and Devgad Alphonso mangoes both are good in taste. However, Devgad Alphonso is sweeter and non-fibrous in texture.  

In conclusion, Ratnagiri and Devgad Alphonso mangoes both are great quality Alphonso mangoes with slight differences in taste, texture and appearance.

Q.8 What are some interesting recipes you can make with Devgad Alphonso mangoes? 

A. Devgad Alphonso mangoes are well-known for their rich, creamy texture and unique sweetness. Apart from enjoying them as a fruit, you can make many interesting recipes with Devgad Alphonso Mangoes. From simple smoothies and milkshakes to delicious ice cream and cakes, you can create many exciting recipes with Devgad Alphonso mangoes. 

If you are looking for simple recipes, then Alphonso mango lassi, Alphonso mango milkshake and smoothies are the best options to enjoy the richness of Alphonso mango with less hassle. Apart from that, Alphonso mango Shrikhand, Aamras and Alphonso mango ice cream are the two most popular recipes with Alphonso mangoes that you can enjoy during the summer season. 

If you are looking for something spicy, then Alphonso mango salsa or Alphonso mango pickle and chutney can be a great option. Moreover, Alphonso mangoes can be used in various baking and dessert recipes. Alphonso mango sorbet and Alphonso mango cheesecake are the two most widely popular international recipes.

In conclusion, Alphonso mangoes are versatile fruit and you can create many interesting recipes by keeping a creative approach. 

Q.9 Can I order Devgad Alphonso mangoes online?

A. Yes, you can order Assal Devgad Hapus Amba or Devgad Alphonso mangoes online from Joshi Bandhu Ambewale.  

To place an order, you can typically browse through the available options, select the quantity and grade of mangoes you desire, and proceed with the purchase. Do not forget to check the grading system for ordering the Devgad Alphonso mangoes of your choice. You can choose Grade A, A+ or A+++ as per your budget and other personal preferences. 

Make sure to read the product descriptions and terms of service, including information on shipping and delivery. 

Furthermore, check for any seasonal availability and pricing variations, as Devgad Alphonso mangoes are typically in high demand during their limited harvest season. If you are looking for a reputed and trustworthy online platform to buy premium quality, GI certified, Devgad Alphonso mangoes, please check out our home page (https://joshibandhuambewale.com/) to know more. You can book your order ahead of time to ensure a smooth and hassle-free delivery, even during the peak season.