West Bengal

What is the State fruit of West Bengal?

State fruit West Bengal

Mango – West Bengal state fruit

The state fruit of West Bengal is Mango which is a tropical fruit that is cultivated widely in the state, especially in Malda and Murshidabad district.

Mango is also the most popular fruit in India. Mango trees are found in abundance in West Bengal. The mango season is from May to July and the main varieties are Alphonso, Chausa, Langra and Dussehri.

Scientific Classification

Scientific name: Mangifera
Family: Anacardiaceae
Rank: Genus
Order: Sapindales
Kingdom: Plantae

Importance of Mangoes in West Bengal

The mango tree is found in different varieties like Al-Manki, Amrapali, Anwar Ratna, Bangal Desh, Baniyasri etc. The fruit is eaten raw or added to various dishes as a part of cooking. The ripe mangoes are used for pickles and chutneys as well. In fact, even the unripe ones are used for making pickles and chutneys which are popularly known as Amchur Chutney or Arish Chutney.

Facts about Mango

  • Mango is the official national symbol and state fruit of West Bengal.
  • The fruit is native to India, Haryana, Kenya and the Philippines, but it’s grown in many tropical areas around the world.
  • The mango tree grows up to 60 feet tall, with leaves similar to an oak tree’s, and flowers that smell like roses.
  • There are more than 1,000 varieties of mangos grown across the globe. The most popular are Alphonso and Keitt varieties.
  • Mango is also known as “king of fruits” due to its popularity and delicious taste among people across the world.
  • Mangoes are rich in vitamins A, B1, B2 and B6 as well as vitamin C, calcium and iron. They also contain carotene and fiber.
  • Mango is a rich source of dietary fiber, iron and calcium.
  • It has anti-inflammatory properties.
  • It helps in weight loss by increasing satiety.
  • It reduces the risk of diabetes by regulating blood sugar levels.
  • It prevents cancer by inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.
  • It boosts immunity by increasing white blood cells (WBCs) count in the body.
  • It reduces inflammation caused due to arthritis, asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) etc.
  • It helps in treating sore throat.

Why is mango the state fruit of West Bengal?

Mango has been declared as the state fruit of West Bengal by the West Bengal government on 15 August 2011. It is the most popular fruit in the state and a major source of income for farmers. It is also used to make different types of sweets and pickles. It has been popular in the region since ancient times, and it continues to be one of the most important foods in Bengali culture today.