Kuttiattoor mangoes: Fruits with a royal lineage, ripened with hay and 'kaanjiram' leaves

Numerous makeshift fruit shops are lining the road sides of Kuttiattoor in Kannur since the beginning of the mango season. Many including women and children are selling mangoes on the side of Vaduvankulam Chekkikulam main road in Kannur. One and half kilos of mangoes are sold for Rs 100 here.

Ripened with hay and 'kaanjiram' leaves
Kuttiattoor mangoes, known for their orangish yellow shades, won a Georgraphical Indication Tag (GI tag) in 2021. The variety is fleshy and juicy and has lots of fibre content too. Apparently, they are ripened for sale here without adding any chemicals or preservatives. Hay and the leaves of the strychnos nux – vomica tree (locally known as kaanjiram) are traditionally used to ripen the mangoes.

Lots of people visit Kuttiattoor, solely to buy these organically ripened mangoes. Quintals of mangoes are sold from morning to evening.

Mango leaves costlier than the fruit!
Did you know that the leaves of Kuttiattoor mangoes cost more than the fruit? As per reports, after a Kasaragod-based company came forward to produce tooth powder from the mango leaves, which were even traditionally used for the same purpose, the leaves' cost shot up.

Mango with a royal lineage!
According to mythology, Kuttiattoor mangoes reached Chathothu family of the region from the Neeleshwaram royal family. The variety is also known as 'Nambiar Mangoes.'

It is famously not sour, and has a comparatively high level of Total Soluble Sugar (TSS) as compared to other mangoes. Interestingly, the agriculturists in the region claim that it has even mango trees that are more than 500 years old! After winning the GI tag, the agriculture department is taking steps to ensure that these trees are protected.