Mumbai mango compendium

10 ways to beat mango to a pulp this season, and then eat it

By Shaheen Peerbhai 20 May, 2011

Aam ras at Golden Star Thali

At Golden Star Thali, a popular Gujarati/Rajasthani thali restaurant, you can have as much freshly made aam ras mango pulp as you like every Sunday through the summer mango season, and a single portion on the rest of the days. If you like a dash of spice, request a little dried ginger. Golden Star's Sunday mango specials also include fajeto, a Gujarati yogurt-based tempered curry, shrikhand and aam panna. Thali, Rs 280 on weekdays, Rs 310 on weekends.

Taj Ice Cream

The way ice cream is made at Taj Ice Cream hasn’t changed in 120 years and its hand-churned, fresh mango flavor has the stamp of approval from Congress party president Sonia Gandhi and celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain -- no small claim. It's probably because it's made from whole milk boiled down to condensed milk. You'll find this tiny shop in a narrow lane in Bohri Mohalla. If you’re not careful, you might just miss it, because the only signage is a flimsy flex banner. Keep your eyes peeled. Rs 40 a serving and Rs 310 per kilo.

Gupta Kulfi and Ice Cream

Fresh mango kulfi (Rs 35) at Gupta Kulfi and Ice Cream is just what you need on a hot Mumbai summer day. Made with real mango, a slice of the bright orange Indian version of ice cream will have you packing more than you can eat to take away.

Mango and cream at Haji Ali Juice Centre

The mango and cream bowl (Rs 150) at Haji Ali Juice Centre is always chilled, thick and custardy. Topped with pieces of fresh Alphonso mango, it's the seasonal bestseller at Mumbai's most visible juice center, near the floating Haji Ali mosque.

Lassi at Kailash Mandir

This no-frills lassi shop near Dadar Station is constantly abuzz. The mango lassi (Rs 39) is thick with added cream and is served chilled, topped with a cherry. Decadent.

Shrikhand at Jain Biscuit Centre

The Mango shrikhand yoghurt (Rs 70/250 grams) is a very sweet, very thick and very heavy Indian dessert redolent with mango and a hint of cardamom.

Milkshake at Bachelor’s Juice House

This creamy mango milkshake (Rs 225), dotted with pieces of mango is a must try at Bachelor’s. The popular juice stall on Marine Drive also whips up a fantastic mango juice with mango chunks. They’re all set to introduce a new mango fizz for summer 2011.

Mango Melba at Badshah Cold Drink House

Large scoops of vanilla and mango ice cream generously topped with diced mango makes a Mango Melba (Rs 140) fit to serve in heaven. Even Escoffier, the creator of the famous Peach Melba named after an opera singer of the same name, would approve of Badshah's borrowing the name.

Mango pickles at Thakker Sweets

Thakker Sweets sells more than 100 types of pickles. For the mango season, they have pickles to please many a taste bud: from the sweet Gujarati chundo to the spicy Rajasthani dried mango pickle, sample the array to discover your personal favorite before you buy. Rs 220 per kilo.

Raw mango street snack

With the onset of the mango season, you’ll notice an addition to the street fruit carts. Raw mango strips (Rs 5 a portion) take center stage, their puckering sourness balanced by salt and copious amounts of red chili powder. There is no fixed place to find them, but try stalls near railway stations and schools.

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Please understand. In Mumbai, mangoes are something of a celebrity.

India grows nearly 13 million metric tonnes of mangoes a year, about 40 per cent of the world’s output. Maharashtra and Gujarat produce the alphonso, aka the "king" of mangoes, and the best specimens are said to come from Ratnagiri, to the south of Mumbai.

The fruit's arrival in the market in March -- and its price -- makes banner headlines.

This year, because of unseasonal rain, a cold winter and food inflation, a one-dozen crate of Mumbai mangoes costs anywhere between Rs 700 to Rs 2,500. Which is high.

Still, it is something of a matter of pride here to casually serve the best mangoes in the world for dessert. And to be able to traverse the streets and restaurants of Mumbai and find mango in every conceivable form till June.

Milkshakes, lassis, pickles, pulp, ice cream, shrikhand or just plain cut up with cream -- the Mumbai mango compendium address book has it all.

Aam ras at Golden Star Thali, 330 Raja Ram Mohan Roy Road, opposite Charni Road Station East; +91 (0)22 2363 1983; goldenstarthali.com; 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., and 7-10:30 p.m.

Fresh mango ice-cream at Taj Ice Cream, 36/40 Bohri Mohalla, Saifee Ambulance Lane, Sayed Abu Mohammed Road, Null Bazar; +91 (0)22 2346 1257; Timings 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.

Mango kulfi at Gupta Kulfi and Ice Cream, 103 A/B Mount Road, Anjirwadi, Mazagaon; +91 (0) 22 2373 2112; guptaicecream.com; Timings 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Mangoes and cream at Haji Ali Juice Centre, Lala Lajpat Rai Road, Haji Ali Circle; +91 (0)22 2351 0957; hajialijuicecentre.com; Timings 5–1:30 a.m.

Mango lassi at Kailash Mandir, opposite Dadar East Station; +91 (0)22 2418 2421; www.kailashmandir.in; Timings 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Mango shrikhand at Jain Biscuit Centre, Station Road, opposite McDonald's, Andheri West; +91 (0)22 2628 4125; jainbiscuit.com; Timings 9:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Mango milkshake at Bachelor’s Juice House, 45 Sattar Sea View, Chowpatty Sea Face; +91 (0)22 2368 2211; Timings 10:30–1:30 a.m.

Mango Melba at Badshah Cold Drink House, 152/156 L.T. Marg, opposite Crawford Market; +91 (0)22 2342 1943; Timings 7–12 a.m.

Mango pickles at Thakker Sweets, Kamdar Shopping Centre, Mongibai Road, opposite Vile Parle Station East; +91 (0)22 2614 9744; Timings 7:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m.

Commonly known in the online realm as The Purple Foodie, Shaheen is a camera toting food blogger, baker, and food writer.