Jubilee Post News & Views
Jubilee News Desk
Lucknow and Aam are almost synonyms with rare mango varieties of Malihabad Sandila and Barabanki more than Dashehari and Chausa decorating the dining table during summer.
But wait here is a different information. Growers of these unique varieties sell these mangoes using an unusual marketing chain different from the Dashehari.
These rare variety producers are worried as it will be challenging to get a reasonable market price this year.
The consumers will also be deprived of their mangoes which were readily available to the city people.
Restricted movement on the highways, less interest in the purchase of roadside mangoes, limited visits of mango lovers to the markets of these rare varieties are reasons.
Lucknowites enjoy not only the Dashehari, Lucknowa, Langra, and Chasua, but also several traditional mango varieties are grown throughout the city.
These lesser-known varieties are not widely available throughout the city, but the fruits of these rare mangoes can be found in specific markets.
If you ever travel from Lucknow to Barabanki or on Hardoi Road, you will see farmers selling the finest lesser-known varieties along the road near Maliabad and Sandila.
Farmers have learned to sell their mangoes at a higher price because they get a throwaway price for these mangoes at the wholesale mandi.
Mango lovers may be disappointed to miss early varieties as they plan picnics in mango orchards to enjoy the taste, said Shailendra Rajan, director, ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture in Lucknow.
After a year of waiting, they like to travel a long distance from the city to the gardens. People used to offer various mango feasts during mango season in the olden days around Lucknow, which is now uncommon.
This feast is mostly late in the season, and I hope the pandemic will allow us to enjoy such occasions with late varieties.
Along with Dashehari, a slew of traditional varieties emerge. Everyone is familiar with the distinct flavour of Langra. Still, rare varieties such as Johari Safeda, Benazir, Gillas, Khas ul Khas, and Amin Abdul Ahad Khan gradually make their way to the market.
Previously, common sellers would sell some of the less common varieties under common names, but today’s customers are interested in consuming varieties other than Dashehari.
Several decades ago, these varieties were used by family members or given as gifts to relatives and VIPs. Rare types are gradually making their way onto the market.
In the market, you can get Jauhari Safeda (Malihabad Safeda), Benazir, and Benazir Sandila. Still, only a few people could enjoy Bride of Russia (Surkha Burma), Laila Majnu, Tehsil Wala, Amina Abrahim Pur, Khas ul Khal, and so on.
