WESTERN UTTAR PRADESH
Only two new mango varieties have been successful across India—Amrapali and Mallika. Both came out of Saharanpur in this region. You will hear claims here that their Dashehri mango is better than Malihabad’s now. This area also produces a lot of Bombay Green, a local favourite. But it is Rataul village in Baghpat that’s acquired mango fame to rival Malihabad. The Rataul variety is small, low on fibre and so fragrant it can be smelled from a distance. A variety for the refined palate! The parent tree from which the variety emerged died a few years ago. But the orchards here have scores of varieties.
TRY: Filmmaker and historian Sohail Hashmi conducts annual mango trips to the orchards of Rataul from Delhi. It is an experience. Follow him on social media.