Mango – Gujarat state fruit
Mango is the official state fruit of Gujarat. Mango found in many parts of Gujarat, including Kutch, Surendranagar, Ahmedabad, Valsad and other places like Nadiad etc. Mango is also grown in nearby states like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra etc.
Scientific Classification
Scientific name: Mangifera
Family: Anacardiaceae
Rank: Genus
Order: Sapindales
Kingdom: Plantae
Uses of Mangoes
Mango fruit is a good source of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Mangoes are rich in vitamin C, folate, potassium, magnesium and fibre. They are also a good source of vitamins B1 and B6, riboflavin, pantothenic acid and niacin. Mangoes have high levels of antioxidants called carotenoids. These help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Importance of Mangoes in Gujarat
The state fruit of Gujarat is Mango, which is found in different parts of Gujarat. The Western Ghats and Kutch district are famous for Mangoes. The other parts of the state are also rich with mangoes.
The most common varieties are Alphanso, Badami, Bangalore Blue, Dasheri, Langra and Totapuri. The Alphanso variety is the best known variety in India as well as abroad.
Apart from these, many other varieties like Ambadi, Anupama, Anwar Ratolu and Chausa have been developed in recent years by the scientists at the fruit research station at Junagadh.
Mangoes are cultivated in about 1 lakh hectares in Gujarat during kharif season (June to August). It is an important commercial crop worth Rs 250 crore per annum.
Why is Mango the state fruit of Gujarat?
The mango is the state fruit of Gujarat. There are many reasons for this, but here are some of them:
1. Mango has been a part of Gujarati food culture since centuries.
2. It’s a rich source of nutrients like vitamins A, B6, C and K, folate, potassium and dietary fiber.
3. The mango is also known to contain antioxidants which are beneficial for the body.
4. It is believed that eating mangoes can help cure coughs and colds due to its medicinal properties.
5. Mangoes can be eaten raw or used in various dishes like pickles, chutneys or even in desserts like ice cream etc.,