'Best mangoes I've had': Inside the San Francisco party serving Alphonso and Kesar mangoes, now a viral sensation in US

India's favourite summer fruit Mango is found a new life thousands of miles away as a San Francisco-based Indian man organised the fourth SF Mango partyin a row. The SF Mango Party was organised due to the growing demand for Indian mangoes with the intent to bring people together during the short mango season. Hundreds of Indian Alphonso and Kesar mangoes were distributed for free, as volunteers peeled and sliced the fruit on the spot.

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Videos of US citizens enjoying Indian mangoes have gone viral on social media with one user writing, "Indian Mango party Best mangos I’ve had. Incredible vibes. Got interviewed by the SF chronicle. I was 1 of 4 white guys (200 people came)." (sic) "mango tango weekend in sf��I’ve never had such tasty mangoes before - huge thanks to hosts!," wrote another user. "Mango party was fun, thanks for hosting @darshil," commented another.

Who organised the mango party?

The mango party was organised by an Indian-origin organiser, Darshil, who framed it as both a celebration and a response to rising interest in Indian mangoes. “Last year we put some of the best minds at work to solve the mango shortage and we’re BACK,” he had written on social media, adding that the “4th annual SF mango party” would take place later this month.



The SF Mango party started as a casual meeting of eight friends sharing a box of mangoes in 2023, and now it has ballooned into an hours-long extravaganza backed by silent sponsors. It all began in 2024 when one of the co-organisers Deep Patel posted on X about hosting a mango party to see if people would be interested.



The idea struck a chord, drawing enthusiastic responses from dozens of mango enthusiasts. Some were eager to discover India's diverse mango varieties, while others simply missed the flavours that reminded them of home.

Pictures from the party showed a relaxed, picnic-style atmosphere: people gathered outdoors, sharing slices of mangoes and swapping favourites. For many attendees, particularly members of the Indian diaspora, mangoes evoke memories of summer vacations, family gatherings, and the comforting taste of home.

The mango obsession in US is real

In the US, people are actually paying fifty to sixty dollars for a box of Indian mangoes. The mango party has been hosted at a time when Indian mangoes are not easily available across the US. According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, varieties such as Alphonso, Kesar, Chausa and Banganapalli are imported in limited quantities due to strict regulations and logistical challenges.