The King and I

It is summer time and the king of fruits is here! Mangoes are grown in the Punjab and Sindh provinces of Pakistan, and are available in abundance from May to September. There are hundreds of varieties of mango. A die-hard mango fan, five months of the season do not seem enough, I therefore freeze pulp from my favourite mango varieties – Dasehri, Chaunsa, Anwar Ratol and Sindhri - and enjoy the heavenly taste even after the season is over.

The most popular commercial varieties - all different in colour and size, and each with a distinct flavour and taste - include Anwar Ratol, Dasehri, Langra, Chaunsa, Sindhri, Saharni, Alphonso, Pairi, Fazli, Baigun Phali, Gulabkhaas, Sunehra, and Neelam. Ripe fruits are mainly eaten fresh, but are also used in preparing squash, jam, other preserves and sometimes canned. Young mangoes are used in making mango chutneys and pickles. Pakistani mangoes are high in fibre, and contain a small amount of carbohydrates, calcium, iron, potassium and some protein. Besides, mangoes have more carotenoids than most other fruits - and that helps ward off colds and reduces the risk of cancer and heart disease.

Last year, by August 2007, a total of 94,000 tonnes were exported from Pakistan to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, other Gulf regions and Europe.

The ‘National Mango and Summer Fruit Festival’ initially planned in Mirpurkhas, Sindh, for three days has been extended for another two days – from 6 up to June 10, with 441 growers contacted and more being approached by the government to partake in the festival.

The mango exhibition will take place inside the premises of the Sindh Horticulture Research Institute while arrangements have been made for stalls of other departments and NGOs at Gama Staduim. Preparations are being made to hold a Meena Bazaar and bullock races will also be included in the festival. Ambassadors of different countries and mango exporters have been invited to the event.