With mercury soaring, the mouth watering ‘maavadu’ (tender mango) is yet another fruit in good demand in the markets across the district.
The shops along the Tirumanimuthar river bank in the city, 11 Uzhavar Santhai across the district, and the road side stalls are doing brisk business of ‘maavadu.’
With bulk arrival of ‘maavadu’ of various varieties and in all sizes, the markets here have registered a fall in the price of the same.
The smaller the size of the ‘maavadu,’ the dearer is the price. It is the ‘malai vadu’ received from the hilly areas which is preferred by the people than the ‘thoppu vadu’ (farm fruit).
December, January, and February are the main flowering months of all varieties of mangoes in the western districts.
Good crop
The crop this season has been good in different parts of the district, according to Horticulture Department officials, leading to heavy arrival of tender mango in the markets.
While the major markets have been receiving top quality fruits from Periakulam, Udumalpet, Yercaud, Karumanthurai and Kollimalai hills, the farmers are flooding the ordinary quality ‘maavadu’ from the neighbouring villages.
The price of the ordinary quality ‘maavadu’ which remained Rs. 40 a kg in the Uzhavar Santhai a couple of weeks ago has come down and is ranging between Rs. 12 and Rs. 18 on Wednesday.
The best quality ‘maavadu’ of senthoora, Neelam, sarkaraikatti, were priced at Rs. 150 a kg in the Salem markets ten days ago. Now the same is being marketed at Rs. 120 a kg.
The stalls on the Tirumanimutharu river bank used to get about half a tonne of ‘maavadu’ every day.
Now they are getting only about 100 kg alone, says K. Ayyanar of Udaiyampatti, running a road side shop here.
“We expect spurt in the arrival in the next few days, when the price will fall further,” Mr. Ayyanar says. With tender mangoes in good demand in the city markets, residents have got tangy choice for side dish.
The fruits are cut into small pieces and soaked in water mixed with salt. This ‘uppu maanga’ is the favourite dish in many houses during the summer months, says M. Sardar, a cook by profession of Jagir Ammapalayam in the city.
Maavadu pickle is another favourite item in the households in the State.
Ranganathan street of Mambalam, Myalpore tank, and Simmakkal of Madurai are the other well known venues famous for ‘maavadu’ during the summer months.
