Navi Mumbai: As mango season peaks, the market is flooded with different varieties of Alphonso mangoes, primarily from Maharashtra’s Devgad region and Karnataka. While both are labeled as Alphonso or ‘Hapus,’ fruit traders highlight stark differences in quality, aroma, and price, with some retailers taking advantage of unsuspecting customers by selling the cheaper Karnataka mangoes at premium prices.
About Devgad Alphonso Mangoes
Devgad Alphonso mangoes, known for their superior taste and quality, have a rich saffron-colored pulp and a distinct sweet aroma. In contrast, Karnataka Alphonso mangoes, though similar in appearance, have a yellowish pulp and lack the characteristic fragrance of the Devgad variety. According to fruit trader Mahesh Gawde from the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC), the key factor behind the quality difference is the soil in which these mangoes are grown.
"Devgad Alphonsos are sweeter and have better quality than Karnataka Alphonso," he explains. But there is also another variety which is from Kerala and that produce is sometimes sweeter than the Devgad variety due to the better quality soil, Gawde said.
Another distinguishing factor is the skin texture and shape. "Devgad mangoes do not have thick skin like the Karnataka ones. Additionally, Devgad Alphonsos are rounder towards the bottom, whereas Karnataka Alphonsos are slightly narrow," said another trader.
With a significant price gap between the two varieties, some vendors are reportedly deceiving customers by selling Karnataka mangoes as Devgad Alphonso at premium rates. In the wholesale market, Devgad mangoes are priced between Rs 3000 to Rs 7000 per box which contains around 4 to 6 dozen mangoes, whereas Karnataka Alphonso mangoes are available for Rs 200 to Rs 300 per kg in wholesale market. Retail prices for Devgad Alphonsos strat from Rs 2000 per dozen, while Karnataka Alphonsos are considerably cheaper which starts from Rs 600 per kg.
"Many roadside sellers mix Karnataka Alphonsos with Devgad mangoes and sell them to customers at high prices," warns Mango trader Sanjay Pansare. He advises customers to be cautious while purchasing and to check for authenticity. "One way to differentiate is by asking the shopkeeper to slice a mango in front of you. The pulp color and aroma will immediately reveal whether it is a Devgad mango or not," he said.
Customers looking to buy authentic Devgad Alphonso mangoes should purchase only from trusted sellers. The best way to check authenticity is by smelling the mango, examining its skin texture, and requesting a cut sample before purchasing.
