I have heard that the Rei Malcurado (badly cured) goes for Rs. 600 a dozen in Goa. This is an interesting mango story by Xri VM. One wonders if the freedom fighters could come with a new graft to equal the Malcurado. BC The lasting success and popularity of the Hapoos has many interesting contemporary twists. In 2007, the US finally opened its doors to exports from Maharashtra?s Ratnagiri district, in direct exchange for India allowing in Harley Davidson motorbikes. Periodic rounds of mango diplomacy have seen baskets of Maharashtra?s best sent across to Pakistan to sweeten negotiations across the bargaining table. But even as they are prized everywhere else, these undoubtedly decent and adequately tasty fruits are not pursued with any enthusiasm in Goa. That?s because of the far more exquisite varietals which grow profusely in the state, which have never been hybridised for Hapoos-like characteristics required for export (such as sturdiness, and long shelf life). In a summer frenzy that lasts through the first few rains, Goa?s mango-crazed populace greedily devours these varietals. A couple of local varieties get pickled, while the rosy-hued Monserrate (Musarat in Konkani) is generally reserved to make the spectacularly dense and flavourful mango jam called mangada. All these different varietals are unusally delicious, but the objects of maximum desire and longing, the fruits that strike the deepest chord in every Goan soul are the luscious Hilario, and the peerlessly magnificent Mankurad. I***************************************