Alphonso mangoes go to the speciesMangifera indica , a member of the Anacardiaceae family unit , which also includes cashew and pistachios . This evergreen Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is aboriginal to South Asia , particularly the Indian subcontinent , where it has been cultivated for thou of twelvemonth . The Alphonso cultivar , known scientifically asMangifera indica‘Alphonso , ’ is a specific motley prized for its unique qualities .
The Alphonso Mangifera indica traces its roots to westerly India , specifically the Konkan part of Maharashtra . It ’s believed to have been introduced or refined in the 16th century during Lusitanian colonisation , perhaps discover after Afonso de Albuquerque , a Portuguese general and regulator who helped establish compound presence in India . While the exact descent story is debated , this cultivar has been perfected over 100 by local farmers , particularly in the Ithiel Town of Ratnagiri and Devgad . By the nineteenth and 20th centuries , its repute disseminate globally , earning it a loyal following and exportation status . Today , India stay on the primary manufacturer , with strict geographical indication ( GI ) protect authentic Alphonso mango from these regions .
Alphonso mangoes are medium - sized , typically weigh 8–12 ounce ( 225–340 gramme ) , with an oval or kidney - shaped form . Their hide starts green and ripens to a golden - chickenhearted chromaticity , often with a tenuous cherry-red blush , though it ’s not as vibrant as some other varieties . The physique is a deep saffron - orange tree , smooth , and fibre - destitute , setting it apart from stringier Mangifera indica cultivars . The fruit is naughty and creamy , with a thin , edible cum that maximizes the comestible portion . The tree itself thrives in tropical climates , reaching superlative of 30–100 feet ( 9–30 meters ) if unpruned , though commercial orchards keep them shorter for easier harvest home .
The taste of an Alphonso mango is what lift it to fabled position . It ’s intensely fresh with a rich , syrupy feel , balanced by subtle tart undertone that keep it from being cloying . There ’s a floral , almost resinous caliber — sometimes compare to a admixture of peach , apricot , and citrus — followed by a velvety , buttery culture . This complexness piss it a favorite for eat bracing , meld into charmer , or using in desserts like mango lassi or ice-skating rink cream . connoisseur often observe its hang around aftertaste , which is both refreshing and lenient .
Alphonso Mangifera indica trees are tropic by nature and expand best in USDA Hardiness Zones 10–11 . They need warm , humid conditions with temperatures consistently above 40 ° F ( 4 ° C ) to avoid damage , though they favor a range of 70–95 ° F ( 21–35 ° coulomb ) for optimal growth and fruiting . A discrete dry season followed by monsoon - like rains mime their aboriginal environment , triggering florescence and fruit development . In the U.S. , they can be grown in component of Florida , Southern California , and Hawaii , but Robert Frost is a dealbreaker — anything below freezing can kill youthful tree or bankrupt a season ’s crop . Home grower outside these zones often utilize glasshouse or container to protect them .
