Who Buys The Very Expensive Indian Mangoes In America?

For the first time in over a decade, I spent $50 on pre ordering a box of Alphonso mangoes. I did this primarily to give my kids the tasting experience of this mango which I have relished in my childhood. Unfortunately I don't have any reason to visit India any time, so I decided to splurge.

Having said that, I was so disappointed because the Alphonso themselves were half the size of what I used to get in Maharashtra. And second, they were not even from anywhere in Maharashtra as we were given the impression of. They were from Bengaluru.

Deeply saddened and scarred by this experience

 

While I cannot bring myself to buy these mangoes , I have no problem buying jasmine boxes . I’m glad we have access to these luxury items now .

 

As usual every season my daughter ordered online and two boxes of Alphanso arrived and waiting for the mangoes to ripe. It may take another 2 -3 days before it turns ripe. Each box said to contain 24 nos. Medium size. Besides we have been getting at doorsteps other varieties bargain prices. Due to recent storm and deluge rains many mango orchards in ruins and mango production halved and Indian export affected. So naturally the indian fruit will be more expensive in other parts of the world than previous seasons.
In india we hv over 50 varities of mango, taste wise they vastly differ depending the soil in which it is grown. An interesting read on mango affair in link!
The mangoes have arrived!

 

Lots of people, because these mangoes are always sold out at the Indian store. The uncle was laughing when I came to inquire just out of curiosity and said orders must be placed way in advance. I’ve never been tempted because they’re not fresh like the ones you can buy straight from the fruit carts in India, or better still the mangoes brought to your door in a basket.

 

Mango the moment I see or hear I think of tenaliraman priests/pundits golden mango story.

 

Yes we get fresh jasmine and mullai flowers from India .

 

In india to make fast bucks, at retail end raw mangoes bought cheap in wholesale make it ripe-colur fast and sell it at 300 to 400 premium. It would be very attractive but inside it could be all raw & sour. To increase shelf life of genuine varities, makes are subjected to some radiation technique claiming to be harmless. In the wholesale fruit market in Chennai, few traders found to put huge heaps of raw green banganapalli side by side with cadmium stones-a known dangerous radiation producing chemical - every season and get arrested.
Tiny mole like dots on the mango skin in patches reveals it is coloured with help of cadmium stone placed over it.
Such mangoes are sold at bus terminus or bus stations for inter-state or at railway platforms. You know why they sell at these places?
Beware & aware!