The Consulate General of India in New York hosted the 'Indian Mango Festival' on Tuesday in Union Square, attracting over 1,000 attendees who sampled the renowned Kesar from Gir and Langra from Varanasi mango varieties. Despite intermittent rains, New Yorkers and diaspora members lined up to taste the fruit, which the Consulate described as quickly becoming everyone's favorite.
Event Highlights and Attendee Reactions
Deputy Consul General of India in New York, Vishal Harsh, told PTI that while Alphonso mangoes are well-known, other varieties like Kesar and Langra are gaining attention. He stated, “Indian mango is popular and gaining a lot of attention here. Everywhere people are talking about them, there is immense enthusiasm for mangoes from India.” The Consulate plans to host larger events featuring more Indian mango varieties in the future.
Attendees from diverse backgrounds declared the samples as the best mangoes they had ever tasted. Many inquired about purchasing more in the New York tri-state area. A young New Yorker noted, “I usually do not like mangoes, but these are delicious and fantastic.” For diaspora members, the event evoked memories of Indian summers and family gatherings, with one person saying, “It brings back memories of having mangoes with my whole family. I’m going to take a photograph of the mangoes and send it to my mother.”
Growing Demand for Indian Mangoes in the US
The festival is part of a broader effort by Indian Consulates across the US, from Seattle to Washington DC, to promote Indian mango varieties. Earlier in June, the Consulate in Seattle hosted 'Mango Magic,' highlighting regional varieties and their export potential. The Indian Embassy in Washington DC is organizing a 'Taste the Tropical Magic' event on June 27, offering complimentary tastings.
Retail demand is also surging. Bob Huskey, Vice President of fresh produce at Costco Wholesale, noted in Seattle that Indian Kesar mangoes “have been selling faster than we can bring them back in.” At the New York event, a young Indian-origin girl became emotional, saying, “I’m crying these remind me of my grandmother. It has been almost 10 years since I’ve had Indian mangoes in India. This is like gold, it’s very, very precious.”
Diaspora Nostalgia and Cultural Connection
Many attendees expressed longing for mangoes from home. One young Indian said, “It feels excellent. I feel like I have been deprived of this for a very long time. It has been years since I had the Langra mango, and this really takes me back home. While mangoes from other regions are available in the US, they do not taste like the ones we have grown up eating in India.” The event served as a cultural bridge, uniting communities through the 'King of Fruits.'
