Honey-sweet and creamy, the rare Alphonso mango is so beloved in India they have entire festivals dedicated to the fruit during its short eating season. The “king of the mangoes,” Alphonsos are named after Alphonso de Albuquerque, a Portuguese nobleman who founded a colony in India.
The Portuguese people were responsible for the cultivation of unique mango varietals like this one, which were eventually introduced all across Southern India once their popularity grew. Alphonso mangoes can only grow in India’s specific climate and soil quality, so it’s an especially rare find—even in puree form.