Anwar Ratol Mango — The Connoisseur's Pakistani Mango
Anwar Ratol is Pakistan's most concentrated, intensely-flavored mango variety. Small fruit (150–200g), thin yellow skin, silky almost custard-like flesh, with honey-floral aromatic complexity that surpasses every other Pakistani variety. Originates from Ratol village near Baghpat (now in India). The '12 Number' designation refers to the premium cultivar packed 12 fruit per 7kg crate. Peak season: late July to late August. Beloved by mango aficionados; not for those who prefer 'crowd-pleaser' fruit.
Why Anwar Ratol is the mango people get excited about
Ask anyone in Pakistan who really knows mangoes which variety they'd pick if they could only pick one, and an unusual number will name Anwar Ratol. Not because it's the largest, the sweetest by Brix measurement, or the most widely available — but because the concentrated complexity of its flavor is unmatched.
A ripe Anwar Ratol smells like three different mangoes packed into one small fruit. The first bite delivers honey and jasmine; the middle palate develops something almost tropical-floral; the finish lingers with notes some people describe as resinous, others as buttery. It's the variety chefs and food critics single out when they want to demonstrate what Pakistani mangoes are really capable of.
History — Ratol village and the Anwar lineage
Anwar Ratol originates from Ratol village in what was then the Baghpat district (now part of Uttar Pradesh, India). The variety's name combines "Anwar" (often attributed to the original grower's name) and "Ratol" (the village). The original tree dates to the late 19th or early 20th century.
After Partition in 1947, Pakistani growers — particularly in Multan and Rahim Yar Khan — cultivated Anwar Ratol extensively. Today, Pakistani Anwar Ratol has diverged in quality from the Indian version, with Multani Anwar Ratol commanding the highest prices in Pakistani markets and in export channels to the Gulf.
The "12 Number" question (what it means)
"12 Number Ratol" is a specific commercial cultivar within the Anwar Ratol family. The name comes from the standardized packing convention: premium 12 Number fruit is packed 12 mangoes per kilogram, meaning each fruit averages around 80–85 grams of fruit (slightly larger than standard small Anwar Ratol).
The relationship between Anwar Ratol and 12 Number is similar to the relationship between Chaunsa and Nawabpuri Chaunsa — same variety family, but 12 Number is a refined premium tier with slightly larger fruit and more concentrated flavor.
The hierarchy
- Standard Anwar Ratol — 16–20 fruit per kg; smallest, most intense flavor per gram, hardest to eat without juice running down your wrist
- 12 Number Ratol — 12 fruit per kg; slightly larger, premium tier, easier portioning
- Late Anwar Ratol — harvested in August, often the deepest flavor due to extra ripening time on the tree
Our Multani Anwar Ratol 12 Number Premium Box uses the 12 Number cultivar specifically — best balance of size and flavor concentration.
Cultivation in Pakistan
| Factor | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary growing region | Southern Punjab (Multan, Khanewal, Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalpur) |
| Tree age to full production | 4–6 years (faster than Chaunsa) |
| Annual yield per mature tree | 60–100 kg (lower than Sindhri or Chaunsa) |
| Flowering period | February |
| Harvest window | Late July through late August |
| Peak quality window | First two weeks of August |
| Average fruit weight (12 Number) | 150–200 grams |
| Sugar content (Brix) | 20–22° at peak |
| Skin character | Thin, yellow with slight green tip; bruises easily |
| Flesh character | Silky, custard-like, essentially fiberless |
| Seed character | Small flat seed — high flesh-to-seed ratio |
Anwar Ratol's lower per-tree yield (60–100 kg vs Chaunsa's 80–150 kg) explains part of its premium pricing. The fruit is also smaller, so producing a 5kg box requires harvesting more individual fruit. Picking is labor-intensive because each small fruit needs careful handling — the thin skin bruises if dropped even an inch into a basket.
Anwar Ratol's flavor profile in detail
Aroma
Anwar Ratol's aroma is its calling card. Three distinct notes emerge:
- Honey-floral — front of nose, fills the room
- Tropical-jasmine — mid-nose, develops after 5 seconds
- Buttery-resinous — finish, what people describe as "expensive"
Taste
- Sugar: 20–22° Brix at peak — tied with Nawabpuri White Chaunsa for highest in Pakistani varieties
- Acid: Very low — Anwar Ratol is the least acidic Pakistani mango. Pure sweetness with no tartness
- Texture: The single most custard-like flesh in any Pakistani mango. Almost spoonable when fully ripe.
- Aftertaste: Long finish; aromatic compounds linger 30+ seconds
Why Anwar Ratol commands premium prices
- Lower yield per tree — 30–40% less fruit than Chaunsa
- Small fruit size — more individual mangoes needed per kilogram
- Labor-intensive harvesting — thin skin demands gentle handling
- Travel sensitivity — limited courier-distance tolerance, more breakage risk
- Demand exceeds supply — especially in export markets (Gulf, UK)
- Late-season premium — by August, other varieties are wrapping up, so Anwar Ratol commands attention
Best uses for Anwar Ratol
- Eating fresh, slowly. This is not a smoothie fruit. Don't waste an Anwar Ratol on a blender. Slice or simply eat by hand.
- Gifts and special occasions. The most impressive Pakistani mango for Eid corporate gifting, weddings, or sending to overseas family
- Dessert garnish. Sliced atop kheer, ice cream, or yogurt — Anwar Ratol elevates anything it touches
- Mango sorbet. The one exception to "don't blend" — sorbet preserves flavor concentration
If you want to make mango lassi or smoothies, save those for Chaunsa or Sindhri. Anwar Ratol's flavor is too refined to drown in dairy.
Anwar Ratol and travel
This is the variety we recommend NOT to ship long-haul. The thin skin makes Anwar Ratol the most transit-sensitive Pakistani mango. We ship it across Pakistan in cold-chain transit and our damage rate is still negligible, but for routes like Multan Quetta or Multan Gwadar, we recommend Honey Chaunsa instead.
For city deliveries within 3 days of dispatch (Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad), Anwar Ratol arrives in perfect condition.
Pros and cons of Anwar Ratol
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Most aromatic Pakistani mango | Highest price tier (Rs 3,150/5kg in our 2026 pricing) |
| Custard-like silky flesh | Small fruit — feels like less per box |
| Essentially fiberless | Short peak window (~3 weeks) |
| Tiny seed, high flesh-to-seed ratio | Thin skin, transit-sensitive |
| Lowest acidity — pure sweetness | Late season — wait until late July |
| Premium gift variety | Less travel-friendly to distant cities |
FAQs about Anwar Ratol
What's the difference between Anwar Ratol and 12 Number Ratol?
Same variety family, different cultivar grade. 12 Number is the premium tier — slightly larger fruit (150–200g vs 80–120g standard), packed 12 per kilogram, more flavor concentration. Like the difference between standard Chaunsa and Nawabpuri Chaunsa.
Why is Anwar Ratol so expensive compared to other Pakistani mangoes?
Lower yield per tree, smaller fruit (more individual picks per kg), labor-intensive harvesting due to thin skin, and high demand both domestically and in export markets. The premium reflects genuine production costs and scarcity.
When is Anwar Ratol in season in 2026?
Late July through late August. Our box dispatches from 30 July 2026. Peak quality: first two weeks of August.
Can I make mango lassi with Anwar Ratol?
You can, but most aficionados would say it's a waste. Anwar Ratol's aromatic complexity gets overwhelmed by dairy. Save it for fresh eating; use Chaunsa or Sindhri for lassi.
Is Anwar Ratol the same as Ratol mango?
Yes — "Anwar Ratol" is the full name, "Ratol" alone is a common shorthand. Both refer to the same variety family from Ratol village.
Where can I buy Anwar Ratol mangoes online in Pakistan?
Our Anwar Ratol 12 Number Premium Box is the direct path. We ship cold-chain to all major Pakistani cities. For city-specific delivery info see our Lahore page, Karachi page, Islamabad page, or other city pages.
How long does an Anwar Ratol mango last?
Once ripe, eat within 3–4 days for peak quality. The thin skin and high sugar content mean it goes over-ripe faster than thicker-skinned varieties.
Can Anwar Ratol be eaten by diabetics?
In small portions only — Anwar Ratol's Brix of 20–22° makes it one of the higher-sugar mangoes. Stick to 100g servings, pair with protein/fat, and monitor. See our mango for diabetics guide for detailed advice.
Order direct from a Multan family farm
Every variety on this page can be ordered fresh from our 2026 harvest. Hand-picked from our orchards in Pir Khursheed Colony, naturally ripened (zero calcium carbide), cold-chain shipped Pakistan-wide.
— The Malik family
1636/13-A, Pir Khursheed Colony, Multan, 66000, Pakistan