Imam Pasand

Hamam (हमाम) Mango, Imam Pasand or Himayat or Himam Pasand is a lesser known and exclusive mango cultivar, grown in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu states in India. The names suggest regal origins and it is said to have been the fruit of choice for India's royalty.[1][2]

Display of Imam Pasand mango at the 15th Annual International Mango Festival at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables, Florida.

It is a large, not too attractive looking mango, mottled green that lightens to blotched yellow-green as it ripens. It is available only during the months of May and June and each mango could grow up to 800 grams in weight.[3][4][5]

It is prized by connoisseurs for its unique taste and it has been considered as the 'King of Mangoes'. [6][7] Many mangoes are initially sweet, but are undone by aftertastes which can be harsh, rank, chalky or chemical (thanks to the turpentine that some varieties naturally contain) - unlike Alphonsos, with their aroma and incredibly rich smoothness of its aftertaste. The Imam Pasand's aftertaste is quite different, with hints of coconut and lime, a brightly spicy-sour Thai curry to the suave Mughlai curry richness of Alphonsos.[3] A bite into one of these mangoes will reveal a tangy outer layer that ides the sweet flesh inside.

Hamam have a notably soft skin, easy to bite through or even eat, and this also makes it hard to transport. Modern retail systems seem to be cracking how to acquire and distribute them carefully enough and this combined with a wider cultivation area has resulted in increased availability at retail stores [8][9][3]

The origin of the prized variety's Hindi name is lost in the mists of time. Some say it was originally grown in Kerala and beloved of Mughal emperor Humayun (and was locally called Humayun Pasand). This fruit known as Himayat in Andhra was supposedly introduced in Tamil Nadu by the family that owns the Thathachariar gardens, a sprawling estate at Srirangam.[3][5]