Food, drink, and agricultural products with a geographical connection or made using traditional methods can be registered and protected as intellectual property. This protection is called a geographical indication (GI). The GI tag guarantees a product's characteristics or reputation, authenticity, and origin and protects the product name from misuse or imitation. The tags are used for products that have a specific place of origin. Darjeeling tea was the first Indian product to get a GI tag (in 2004).
Alphonso Mango from Maharashtra
There are mangoes, and then there is the Alphonso. Or, as it is locally known, the hapus. Loyalists swear by its rich, creamy smoothness (without a hint of fibre) and subtle notes of sweetness. It is a deep orange, almost saffron colour and tastes phenomenal. The most in demand are those from Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Raigad and adjoining areas in Maharashtra. They are considered the best and acquired a GI tag in October 2018. During mango season, restaurants serve every kind of dish as the mango's smooth flesh and honeyed flavour lends itself to various sweet and savoury dishes and drinks. People go into overdrive making things that help preserve their precious Alphonso stock for the rest of the year - ambapoli/aam papad (dried cheese) amboli (sweet dried mango used in curries) aam ras aamrakhand (mango shrikhand), and more.
Malihabadi Dashehari from Uttar Pradesh
Among the mango-producing states in India, Uttar Pradesh is the second largest and Malihabad accounts for a large share of the mangoes produced here. The region is home to some of the oldest mango trees, and some of the families who run the mango groves here have been doing it for a century or more. Among the varieties grown here, the Dashehari is probably the most famous. The Malihabadi Dussehri was given a Geographical Indications (GI) status in 2010.
Banganapalle from Andhra Pradesh
The distinctive Banganapalle mango of Andhra Pradesh received a GI tag in 2017. The mango, also called Beneshan and Chappatai, has light spots on the skin, and its stone is oblong.
Appemidi from Karnataka
A traditional pickling variety of mango from Karnataka, Appemidi can be found in the Malnad region, around Sagara, Sirsi, Sakleshpur, and even Kodagu. They come in several sub-varieties, such as the Ananta Bhattana appemidi, the Kanchappa appemidi, and the Karnakundala appemidi. Each variety has a distinct flavour and aroma.
Fazli and Himsagar from West Bengal
Bengalis swear by the Himsagar mango, which hits the market in the second week of May and is available till the end of June. The thin-skinned, succulent mango has golden flesh with no fibre and a distinct aroma. It is grown in Malda, Murshidabad, Nadia and Hooghly districts.
Jardalu from Bihar
In June 2021, the first consignment of Bihar's GI-tagged Jardalu mangoes was exported to the United Kingdom (UK). The mangoes were from Simri village under the Kahalgaon sub-division in the Bhagalpur district. Grown in the organic farming method, with zero pesticides and chemicals, this variety of mangoes received a GI tag in 2018.
Gir Kesar from Gujarat
Also known as Kesar, this mango is grown in the Girnar foothills of Gujarat. The mango, famed for its brilliant orange pulp, was granted geographical indicator status in 2011. Often called the "Queen of Mangoes" due to its deep saffron hue and sweetness, the mango received GI status in 2011.
Edayur Chilli and Kuttiattoor from Kerala
The Edayur chilli mango has been cultivated in areas like Edayur, Athavanad, Marakkara, Irimbiliyam, Kalpakanchery and Valanchery for 150 years or more. Because of its modest pungency, the chilli goes well with most foods. The Kuttiattoor mango is known for its beautiful orange-gold colouring and delicious flavour. The ripe fruit has no speckles or blotches on the skin. Both mangoes received a GI tag in 2021.
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