Nelam Mango Grafted Hybrid Plant

🥭 Fruit Characteristics
Shape: Medium-sized and distinctly ovate-oblique (egg-shaped) with a slightly pointed base.

Color: The skin is smooth and turns a vibrant saffron or golden yellow when fully ripe, sometimes featuring a slight red blush on the shoulders.

Flesh: The pulp is deep yellow/orange, highly aromatic, and virtually fiberless, giving it a smooth, buttery texture.

Flavor: It is known for a rich, very sweet taste with subtle floral notes and a slight acidic-sweet balance.

🗓️ Season and Origin
Origin: Primarily grown in South India, specifically in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.

The "Late Specialist": While most mango varieties peak in April or May, Neelam is a late-season mango, typically harvested from June to August. In some regions, it can even be found as late as September.

Shelf Life: It has an exceptional "keeping quality," meaning it stays fresh longer than varieties like Alphonso, making it a favorite for export and long-distance shipping.

🌳 Tree and Growth
Growth Habit: The tree is generally a dwarf or semi-dwarf variety, making it a popular choice for home gardeners and high-density orchards.

Yield: It is a regular bearer (meaning it produces fruit every year) and is known for its high productivity.

Hybrid Parent: Due to its excellent flavor and regular bearing habit, Neelam is a parent to famous hybrids like Mallika (Neelam x Dashehari) and Amrapali (Dashehari x Neelam).

🍴 Best Uses
Because of its smooth, fiberless texture and high sugar content, Neelam is versatile:

Fresh Eating: Best enjoyed sliced as a dessert mango.

Processing: Widely used for making premium mango pulps, nectars, and juices.

Desserts: Ideal for mango lassi, puddings, and ice creams due to its intense floral aroma.