Deep within Maharashtra, west India, in the port town of Ratnagiri, the most delicious fruits in the world are grown. Developing under the scorching sun, a light sea breeze bristles thousands of fruit trees that stretch for over 63,000 hectares. Scattered through the greenery, marigold yellow pocket rockets of flavour are handpicked amid a busy summer of mango farming.

We went to Ratnagiri to speak with farmers Sachin and Vivek from the farm we source our mangoes to hear more about their role in the farming process, why Alphonso mangoes are so important to their region, and what exactly makes the Alphonso the most prized mango in the world!

Red Rickshaw takes great pride in selling seasonal and biodiverse fruits that support local farming communities around the world and we are proud to showcase the passion, tradition and skill that it takes to grow Alphonso mangoes.

The annual mango season in India is an eagerly anticipated time of the year, with Alphonso mangoes being the most prized variety of them all - where for three months of the year, the small golden fruit takes over. 

Outside of India, Alphonso mangoes are a well-kept secret but are growing in popularity year on year. At Red Rickshaw we share the passion for Indian mangoes and, being so close to the farming process, appreciate the hard work and unique conditions that go into farming the king of mangoes - The Alphonso.

In the UK, the mango you commonly see in stores is called the Tommy Atkins mango; a sweet but firm fruit that takes an age to ripen, and even when ripe contains a lot of tough fibre. The Alphonso mango differs from the Tommy Atkins due to its delicate texture, rich sweetness and strong scent - filling any room with its aroma. These two fruits couldn’t be further apart, and it is largely due to their unique growing conditions that they vary so much.

You’ve never had a mango like this. Find Alphonso mangoes and a wider range of Indian mangoes, including Kesar and Badami mangoes, online now.