Katthiwada’s giant Noorjahan mangoes steal the spotlight this summer

Katthiwada, Madhya Pradesh: What’s summer without mangoes? As the heat gradually creeps into homes across India, the craze for the king of fruits is rising just as fast.

While Alphonso, Banganapalli, Dasheri, Kesar, Langra, and Totapuri dominate markets nationwide, a rare variety harvested exclusively in Madhya Pradesh’s Katthiwada is becoming the talk of the town — the Noorjahan mango.

Weighing between 3 to 3.5 kilograms and growing up to one foot in length, Noorjahan stands out for its sheer size and rich pulp. Local growers say only a handful of trees produce the variety, making it highly sought after each season. The fruit, believed to have Afghan origins, thrives in Katthiwada’s unique soil and microclimate near the Gujarat border.

With limited supply and rising demand from mango connoisseurs, prices for Noorjahan have touched premium levels this year. Traders report advance bookings from Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru, with some buyers paying up to ₹2,000 per fruit. For now, as temperatures climb, all eyes in India’s mango map are on this giant from Katthiwada.