Discover native mango varieties in Chennai

The Organic Shandy, Mylapore

Native mango varieties reign this year says organic farmer and co-founder of Organic Shandy, PB Murali. He adds that the mango season in Tamil Nadu has been quite the disaster so far, with farmers managing only about 20% of the expected yield. However, as they are all discovering, the heritage varieties are more resilient.

The organic shandy, Mylapore.
| Photo Credit:
SRINATH M

At his farm in Madhuranthakam, near Chennai, the harvest from over 5,000 trees spread across 60 acres, was hit due to unexpected, unseasonal rains and thunderstorms two weeks ago. Despite the poor yield in the state, Murali’s store stocks several types of mango, including Banganapalli, Imam Pasand, Malgova, Alphonso, Mallika, Pathiri, and Panchavarnam, the native variety from Rajapalayam. “This year one of our farmers harvested a local variety called Yaanathalai (translating to elephant head), which is a huge fruit weighing over a kilogram,” he says.

This pivot to finding, sourcing and cultivating native varieties has been observed across the state. Murali also points out that supply is abundant from neighbouring states. “Prices have hence, come down this year,” says Murali. While you are shopping, also pick up their mango jam, pulp and milk shakes.

Imam pasand at reStore
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Orders can be placed over the phone, with home delivery available across the city. The shop is open from 10am to 8pm, and is closed on Sundays. Phone: 7708612348.

Organic Farmers Market, Adyar

Despite the challenges this year, some native varieties appear to be more resilient to climate conditions. “We have hence stocked a variety called Karunkurangu, which has a dark green and very thick skin, sourced from Dindigul, and we are trying to source more native varieties,” says Anantha Sayanan, co-founder, Organic Farmers Market (OFM). He notes that the Salem region, which usually has good yield, has also been affected by unseasonal rains. “Salem, Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri, which are major mango-producing regions in the state, were the worst hit this year, due to unexpected rainfall during the flowering season. The season had a late start, and now we are dealing with significantly less yields,” he says.

Wide range of mangoes at the Organic Farmers Market, Adayar.
| Photo Credit:
SRINATH M

At OFM, they have Imam Pasand, Banganapali, Malgoa, Alphonso, Senthuram and small quantities of Kalapadi. As their mission is to support the farmers they work with, they keep margins low, making the produce affordable.

OFM is open from 10am to 6pm. They also have additional stores in various locations within Chennai, apart from Adyar. To place your order, call 6380169943.

Cholayil Farm to Table, Anna Nagar

Susmera Cholayil, co-founder, Cholayil Farm to Table store, is left with over two tonnes of raw mangoes, that are not suitable for sales. “The 85 acre, Cholayil mango grove at Vengal village in Tiruvallur, with around 900 trees and nearly 45 varieties of mango, has produced just 30% of its expected yield,” she says.

Organic mangoes from Cholayil farms, Vengal village.

She adds, “We hope to harvest remaining fruits by the end of May. ” In the meantime, she is exploring ways to process the raw mangoes into pickles and solar-dried products. “We are expecting an extended season this year, and gradually, all varieties at our farm will be harvested by next month and available for sale,” she says. Currently, they have stocked Banganapalli, Bengalura, Alphonso and more varieties such as Kalapadi, Swarnarekha, Neelam, Malgoa, Pathiri and Rasalu, will be stocked as and when it is harvested.

The store is open from 10 am to 7 pm. To pre-book your mangoes, call 7550155005.

Safe Foods, Thiruvanmiyur

Gopi Devarajan, who founded Safe Foods, an organic store, brings over a decade of experience in sourcing organic food products. He says he primarily sources his mangoes from farmers in Tamil Nadu as well as from the border regions of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. There has been moderate to poor yield in the Tiruvallur and Dindigul districts.“This year, the Banganapalli from Kadapa is particularly sweet, and I am looking forward to the arrival of native varieties such as Kalapadi, Nadusalai, and Sakkarakatti in a few weeks,” says Gopi. He observes that the mango season has been relatively good in the neighbouring southern states.

Banganapalli and Senthuram at Safe Foods
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

At Safe Foods, the current stock includes Banganapalli, Imam Pasand, Senthuram, Malgoa, Alphonso, Javari, and Mallika. More varieties are expected to arrive during the first week of June.

Mangoes can be prebooked between 11am to 8pm. Phone: 9790900887.

reStore Organic Store, Kottivakkam

At reStore, which sources mangoes from across Tamil Nadu, a wide range of varieties are currently available. These include Malgoa, Mallika, Kesar, Rasalu, Senthuram, Dasheri, Imam Pasand, Alphonso, Javari and Banganapalli are now available.

Banganapalli at Cholayil Farm to Table

“Some farmers are yet to complete their harvest, so the mango season is likely to extend till August,” R Karthik, manager of the store, says. He is also looking forward to the arrival of native varieties such as Peether and Pathiri from Kanchipuram district.

You can book your mangoes and get them home delivered. 10am to 7pm. Phone: 9840571842.