Team mango or team litchi?: The juiciest showdown of the season has just hit Kolkata

A seasonal showdown is underway in Kolkata. As baskets of golden mangoes and ruby-red litchis take over fruit stalls across the city, residents are being forced to answer a difficult question: which fruit truly defines summer? For some, mangoes are steeped in nostalgia and tradition, while for others, the arrival of litchis signals the start of the season.

The result: a delicious divide in a city that takes its food seriously and even a fruit can become a matter of fierce loyalty. As peak summer arrives in the city along with the season’s juicy and delicious offerings, mango and litchi fans pick sides and tell us what drives their loyaties.

Kolkata picks sides in summer’s sweetest battleThe Mango camp appears to have some fiercely loyal supporters. “Mango is the king of fruits.

There’s no competition at all,” declares Zaina Timol. “I absolutely love mango sticky rice; it’s my ultimate comfort food. Even mango smoothies, and juicy slices of just the fruit are my summer favourites. There’s something about mango that always works.” Sreeja Saha is equally committed to the cause. “I would choose mango for life,” she says.

“From desserts to everyday meals, I love everything about involving mangoes.

I often visit cafés to try out their mango-special menus.”

But Team Litchi is equally loyal. “I’m completely Team Litchi,” says Kingshuk Ghosh. “I honestly feel the litchi is a very underrated fruit and doesn’t get the appreciation it deserves. People mostly associate it with drinks, which I do enjoy, but I think there’s so much more that can be done with it. For me, it stands out because it’s light, refreshing, and perfect for the summer.”

Anushka Sil also leans towards the underdog.

“As a fruit, I prefer litchis over mangoes any day,” she says.

Beyond the fruit bowl: How chefs are reimagining summer’s sweetest starsFor Kolkata’s chefs and dessert makers, mangoes and litchis are far more than seasonal fruits – they are ingredients that inspire creativity across menus. Their versatility allows them to move seamlessly between sweet and savoury preparations, making them favourites in professional kitchens during summer.

“Summer on a plate is incomplete without mangoes. What makes mango such a versatile ingredient is its ability to move effortlessly between sweet, savoury and even spicy preparations.

This season, we are experimenting with mango in refreshing ceviches, smoked mango chutneys, mango-glazed grills, tropical desserts and handcrafted beverages. I personally love working with mango because every variety brings a different personality from the sweetness of Alphonso to the tanginess of Himsagar,” says Sougata Halder, executive chef, Hyatt Centric.

The experimentation extends to beverages as well, where unexpected flavour pairings are gaining popularity. “When making the mango coffee, the biggest challenge was making sure it still tasted like coffee and not just a mango drink with coffee hidden somewhere. We use Alphonso mangoes as it gives a rich, smooth flavour profile, they’re naturally sweet but still have a slight tanginess which works beautifully in drinks.

The mango puree and milk sits under a coffee foam ensuring you get to taste the brightness and creaminess of the mango along with the notes of coffee. One combination I personally really enjoy is mango and chili. We actually do a mango chili mojito, and the slight heat with the sweetness of mango works surprisingly well together. I think people usually associate mango with sweet desserts, but it pairs beautifully with sharper, fresher flavours too,” says Khadija Malik, founder and creative head, Sweet Escape. Litchi season is my favourite time of the year. The fruit adds a refreshing sweetness to desserts and dishes that feels light, indulgent and summery– Divyani Mondal, actressGrowing up, mango season was a time for celebration at home. Even today, biting into a mango takes me back to those simple, happy moments– Ananya Guha, actressMangoes and litchis are both sweet, juicy, and can be used for sweet and savoury dishes. Both work beautifully for desserts like mango cheesecakes, litchi kulfi or panna cottas. They can be used in drinks as well– Chef Jyotika Malik, Olive Cafe & Bar, KolkataI’m mostly Team Mango because it goes with everything – you can have it with milk, rice, roti, or even on its own. But I do enjoy even litchis; it’s really hard to pick either the mango or the litchi– Barnali Banerjee, homemakerThe verdict: While the mango still wears its crown, mostly unchallenged, the litchi has a loyal fan following tooPics: Anindya Saha; Model: Ananya Guha; Styled by: Mahima Jain; Hair & make-up: RayanModel: Divyani Mondal; Hair & make-up: Joy Pal