Why Dasheri is called the king of mangoes: a 2021 farm tour of Malihabad
For many in north India, summer means Dasheri, the sweet, fibre-less mango from Lucknow's Malihabad belt. In June 2021 VoxyTalksy began a series on Malihabadi mangoes with a farm tour devoted to the Dasheri.
What the video shows
The video was uploaded on June 12, 2021, as part one of the series. The reporter explains that Malihabad lies a short drive beyond Lucknow's city limits and is known for two names: the Dasheri mango and the Urdu poet Josh Malihabadi. In the orchards, local guide Nadeem explains that the Dasheri takes its name from Dasheri village, where the original tree, said to be centuries old, still stands, and that from that single tree came thousands and then lakhs of trees as the fruit began to be sent across India and abroad. The reporter also mentions the well-known Malihabad horticulturist Padma Shri Kaleem Ullah Khan and visits an orchard of another long-established local family.
Where the Dasheri comes from
According to the Geographical Indication record, the mother tree still blossoms in Dashaari village in the Kakori area, between Malihabad and Lucknow. Its age is usually estimated at around 200 years, though sources differ. The Malihabadi Dusseheri received a GI tag on September 4, 2009, which means only mangoes from the defined Malihabad region can be sold under that name.
What makes it special
- A thin skin, little fibre and a small stone, so there is more pulp.
- A strong, sweet aroma and high sweetness when fully ripe.
- A medium, oblong shape that is easy to eat.
- The fruit usually reaches markets from mid-June to July.
Malihabad and the surrounding blocks form one of Uttar Pradesh's main mango belts, and growers here also produce Langra, Chausa, Safeda and many rare varieties. Kaleem Ullah Khan, honoured with the Padma Shri, became famous for grafting hundreds of varieties onto a single tree.
How to choose good Dasheri
- Pick fruit that gives slightly when pressed and smells sweet near the stem.
- Avoid mangoes with black patches, very soft spots or a sour smell.
- Be wary of fruit that looks evenly yellow but is hard inside; it may have been ripened artificially. Buy from trusted sellers.
- Soak mangoes in water for an hour before eating to remove latex and dust.
Why this matters
The Dasheri is more than a fruit for Lucknow; it supports thousands of farm families and traders every season. This 2021 video captures the pride Malihabad's growers take in a mango that began with one tree in a small village.
