Try native mango varieties like Yanthalai, Kalapadi or Nadusalai this year. Here’s where you can find them in Chennai Discover native mango varieties in Chennai

The Organic Shandy, Mylapore

PB Murali, organic farmer and co-founder of Organic Shandy, says native mango varieties are in vogue this year. He says the mango season in Tamil Nadu so far has been quite disastrous, with farmers able to achieve only about 20% of the expected yield. However, as they are all discovering, heirloom varieties are more resilient.

At his farm in Madhurantakam near Chennai, the crop of more than 5,000 trees spread over 60 acres was affected due to unexpected, unseasonal rains and storm two weeks ago. Despite poor yields in the state, Murali’s stores stock a variety of mangoes, including Banganapalli, Imam Pasand, Malagova, Alphonso, Mallika, Pathiri and the Rajapalayam native variety Panchavarnam. “This year one of our farmers harvested a local variety called Yanthalai (translates to elephant head), which is a large fruit weighing more than a kilogram,” he says.

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This pivot to discovery, sourcing and cultivation of native varieties has been seen across the state. Murali also points out that supplies from neighboring states are in abundance. “That’s why the prices have come down this year,” says Murali. While you’re shopping, pick up their mango jam, pulp and milk shakes too.

Orders can be placed over the phone, home delivery available throughout the city. The shop is open from 10 am to 8 pm and is closed on Sundays. Phone: 7708612348.

Organic Farmers Market, Adyar

Despite the challenges this year, some native varieties appear to be more resilient to climate conditions. “So we have stocked a variety called Karunakurungu, obtained from Dindigul, which has dark green and very thick skin, and we are trying to get more native varieties,” says Ananth Sayanan, co-founder of Organic Farmers Market (OFM). He said the Salem region, which usually has good yields, has also been affected by unseasonal rains. He says, “Salem, Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri, which are major mango growing areas of the state, were worst affected this year due to unexpected rains during the flowering season. There was a late start to the season and now we are struggling with very low yields.”

In OFM, they have Imam Pasand, Banganapali, Malgoa, Alphonso, Senthuram and a small amount of Kalapadi. Since their mission is to support the farmers they work with, they keep margins low, making the produce affordable.

OFM is open from 10 am to 6 pm. Apart from Adyar, they also have additional stores at various locations in Chennai. To place your order, call 6380169943.

Cholayil Farm to Table, Anna Nagar

Susmera Cholayil, co-founder of Cholayil Farm to Table Store, is left with more than two tonnes of raw mangoes, which are not fit for sale. “The 85-acre Cholayil mango orchard at Vengal village in Tiruvallur, which has about 900 trees and around 45 varieties of mangoes, has produced only 30% of its expected yield,” she says.

“We hope to harvest the remaining fruits by the end of May,” she adds. Meanwhile, she is exploring ways to process raw mangoes into pickles and solar-dried products. “We are expecting an extended season this year, and gradually, all the varieties from our farm will be harvested by next month and will be available for sale,” she says. Currently, she has stocked Banganapalli, Bengaluru, Alphonso and other varieties like Kalapadi, Swarnarekha, Neelam, Malgoa, Pathiri and Rasalu, which will be stocked when it is harvested.

The store is open from 10 am to 7 pm. To pre-book your mangoes, call 7550155005.

Safe Foods, Thiruvanmiyur

Gopi Devarajan, who founded Safe Foods, an organic store, has over a decade of experience in sourcing organic food products. He says he sources his mangoes mainly from farmers in Tamil Nadu as well as the border areas of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Thiruvallur and Dindigul districts have reported moderate to poor yields. “This year, Banganapalli from Cuddapah is particularly sweet, and I am expecting native varieties like Kalapadi, Nadusalai and Sakkarakatti to arrive in a few weeks,” says Gopi. He believes the mango season in the neighboring southern states has been relatively good.

At Safe Foods, the current stock includes Banganapalli, Imam Pasand, Senthuram, Malgoa, Alphonso, Javari and Mallika. More varieties are expected to arrive in the first week of June.

Prebooking of mango can be done between 11 am to 8 pm. Phone: 9790900887.

Restore Organic Store, Kottivakkam

At ReStore, which sources mangoes from across Tamil Nadu, a wide range of varieties is currently available. These include Malgoa, Mallika, Kesar, Rasalu, Senthuram, Dasheri, Imam Pasand, Alphonso, Javari and Banganapalli now available.

“Some farmers have not yet completed their harvest, so the mango season is likely to extend till August,” says R Karthik, manager of the store. He is also waiting for the arrival of indigenous varieties like Pithhar and Pathiri from Kanchipuram district.

You can book your mangoes and get them home delivered. From 10 am to 7 pm. Phone: 9840571842.