Today is National Mango Day, a delightful occasion to celebrate and honour the Indian king of fruits, known for its delicious flavour and numerous health benefits. From Maharashtra’s sweet and savoury Aamras to the lip-smacking Prawn Mango curry in Goa, India is known for its diverse mango flavours. Apart from being a delicious fruit, mangoes also play an integral part in festivals and rituals.
However, did you know that there is a variety of mango that costs around Rs 2.70 lakh per kilo? Yes, you read that right! It is the unusual ruby-coloured Japanese breed of mango, Miyazaki, which is said to be the world’s costliest mango.
Miyazaki mangoes are often referred to as ‘Eggs of Sunshine’ due to their shape and flaming red colour. They get their name from the city in Japan where they are grown. On average, one mango weighs around 350 grams and is very rich in antioxidants, beta-carotene and folic acid.
Very few farmers grow the Miyazaki mangoes in India and Parihar a farmer from Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh is one of them. To protect his mangoes, Parihar has hired three security guards and 6 dogs to guard his mango trees.
According to an ANI report, Parihar happened to meet a man on the train who gifted him the sapling of Miyazaki. Initially, he had no idea that the tree would bear ruby-coloured Japanese mangoes that would be sold for Rs 2.70 lakh per kilo.
After gaining knowledge of the mangoes, he is taking every step to protect the trees and sells the produce for a whopping price every year.