Parrot Mango / Gira

Known in Sri Lanka/Sinhala as Gira Amba — literally the parrot mango — this is one of Sri Lanka’s traditional landrace mangoes, named for the broad, pronounced beak at the fruit’s apex, which curves like a parrot’s bill. Gira exhibits bright yellow upon ripening. It is not a hybrid - a seedling variety.

The mango is medium-sized, with a conspicuous, broad beak that makes it instantly identifiable. Its defining quality is an unforgettable taste — an overwhelming sweetness combined with a gentle tartness, and excellent flavour profile - that sets it apart from the other Sri Lankan mangoes. When Gira is fully ripe, the pulp becomes smooth, uncomplicated with a soft vanilla-custard tone accompanied by a restrained yet pleasant aroma. The average weight of Gira is 250 grams. The TSS hovers around 21 brix.Gira has medium sized polyembryonic seeds. 

Gira trees are grown widely across both the dry and wet zones of Sri Lanka, and are a familiar sight in Sri Lankan home gardens as much as in orchards. Gira is regular bearer and is harvested mid-season. In Sri Lanka, it is harvested in May. In West Bengal, India, it is harvested in June. 

That balance of acidity and sweetness gives Gira a wider culinary range than the dessert varieties. Besides fresh eating on table, it is well suited to the Sri Lankan preparations that call for a tarter fruit — amba achcharu (pickled mango), amba maluwa (mango curry, cooked with the skin on), and chutneys served with rice.

Although vigorous, Gira trees can be easily adapted to home, kitchen, terrace, or rooftop gardens with annual pruning.

ColourBright yellowAverage Weight250 gramsSweetnessTSS 21 BrixShelf LifeModerate — approximately 1 weekSeed TypePolyembryonicBearingRegular bearer