Konkan Alphonso, king of mangoes, gets GI tag

NEW DELHI: The Alphonso mango from Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg and adjoining areas of Konkan region in Maharashtra has got the Geographical Indication (GI) tag - an exclusive label used for products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or reputation that are due to that origin.

"Such a name (tag) conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness which is essentially attributable to its origin in that defined geographical locality," the ministry of commerce and industry said in a statement on Friday.
Called the king of mangoes, Alphonso, known as 'Hapus' in Maharashtra, is prized in the domestic and international markets for its taste, fragrance and vibrant colour. It has long been one of the world's most popular fruits and is exported to various countries including Japan, Korea and Europe.
The first product to get a GI tag in India was Darjeeling tea in 2004. There are 325 products from India that carry this indication. Mahabaleshwar strawberry, Blue Pottery of Jaipur, Banarasi sarees, Banglar rasogolla of West Bengal, Madhubani paintings of Bihar, Mysore silk of Karnataka and Tirupati laddus are some products with GI tag.