‘Fruit event of the year’: Free Indian mango tasting event delights San Francisco residents

Hundreds of Alphonso, Kesar and other kinds of desi mangoes were distributed for free at an event in San Francisco on Sunday. The volunteers peeled and sliced the fruit on the spot and enjoyed the seasonal fruit.According to the visuals shared on social media, the event was hosted in San Francisco by Indian-origin Darshil Patel. He has made it an annual community celebration out of the love and demand for Indian mango varieties in the summer.In a post on X account, Darshil humorously claimed to have “solved the mango shortage.” It is a small friends’ gathering that has turned into a wholesome community experience and has received online virality and media attention.Before the event, people were encouraged to attend to experience why mangoes remind Indian-Americans of their childhood and home, and to experience what people who haven’t tried Indian mangoes are missing out on.The pictures from the event show the vibrant yellow-orange fruits decorated with paper flowers and butterflies. Crowds gathered at a park on a sunny afternoon, enjoying sweet slices of mangoes distributed on paper plates.Reacting to the event, one user on X wrote: “One of my favorite types of events: someone starts a niche tradition, enough people care that it becomes internet lore, strangers keep showing up and getting involved” with pictures of the mango event attached.“Indian Mango party. Best mangos I’ve had. Incredible vibes,” another user wrote. “I was 1 of 4 white guys (200 people came)”