Frozen Mangoes Offer Year-Round Delight in India
For the first time in India, mango lovers will be able to enjoy their favorite fruit long after the harvest season ends. The Salmani brothers, experts in fruit preservation, are showcasing a unique collection of frozen organic mangoes. These include rare varieties once enjoyed exclusively by the Nizams of Hyderabad.
The mangoes, mainly from Kohir farms, are naturally ripened and then frozen at -25 degrees Celsius. This preservation method, used since May and June of the previous year, allows the fruit to stay fresh for up to two years. Unlike regular storage methods, this technique ensures that the mangoes maintain their natural flavor and texture.
Habeeb Salmani, a food researcher and one of the brothers behind this innovation, explains how it works. “Since the mangoes are kept at extremely low temperatures, they remain fresh when taken out. However, they must be eaten immediately, as they turn rock solid over time. We’ve been consuming these frozen mangoes for over a decade,” he says.
For the first time, the Salmani brothers are making these frozen mangoes available to the public. They plan to sell them year-round starting in 2026. The collection includes premium varieties like Zafran, Safeda, Shahi Chowsa, and Anarkali, offering a special treat for mango lovers.
Habeeb has been passionate about mango cultivation for many years. Using grafting and cross-pollination, he has preserved and developed nearly 18 rare mango varieties, some of which were once reserved for royalty.
“The gardens of the Nizams had some of the rarest mango varieties, which were not accessible to common people. Over time, many of these varieties disappeared. We have worked to save them using scientific methods and have even created new hybrids,” he says. One of their most prized discoveries is the Farhat mango. While most mangoes have a sweetness level under 20, the Farhat variety reaches an impressive level of 28, making it exceptionally sweet.
To introduce people to this unique venture, the Salmani brothers are holding a special one-day exhibition on February 20. They will display 50 to 60 varieties of frozen mangoes, including some of the rarest in the world. This event is a major advancement in fruit preservation and will allow the public to taste royal delicacies.
The exhibition will take place in the evening at the Water and Land Management Training and Research Institute (WALAMTARI), Rajendar Nagar. It will be inaugurated by Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar, MLA Prakash Goud, and MLC Amir Ali Khan, along with other dignitaries.
With their groundbreaking preservation methods, the Salmani brothers are changing the way people enjoy mangoes, making them available all year round.
