In a unique innovation in the vacuum-fried food segment, Kundapur-based Gokul Fruits Pvt. Ltd. has introduced chips made from wild mangoes, becoming the first company in India to commercialize this lesser-known fruit in snack form.
Located in Ulloor 74 village of Udupi district, the company has begun producing vacuum-fried chips from two wild mango varieties known locally as Malbar and Bhatkal. These seasonal mangoes, typically available from late April to early June, are now being transformed into a crunchy, nutrient-rich snack.
“This process is highly labour-intensive, especially since there is no machine currently available to peel mangoes—everything is done manually,” said Rohith Kodgi, Director of Gokul Fruits. “From 100 kilograms of mangoes, we get only 10 kilograms of chips.”
The product has already been launched in select markets in Bengaluru and Goa. The company claims the chips have a shelf life of up to six months when stored in cool conditions.
Each 100-gram serving of the chips contains 54.64 grams of carbohydrates, 40.3 grams of fat, 5.6 grams of crude fibre, 1.38 grams of protein, and delivers 586.35 kcal of energy—making it a dense and satisfying snack.
Kodgi noted that these particular mango varieties, previously used primarily as table fruit or sold in the Mumbai market, are now helping farmers earn extra income. “We’ve started sourcing these mangoes directly from farmers, ensuring better returns for them. Another benefit is that these varieties are naturally worm-free, making them ideal for processing,” he added.
Gokul Fruits Pvt. Ltd. has been in the vacuum-fried chips business since 2006, starting with jackfruit. Today, the company processes between 8,000 and 10,000 kilograms of jackfruit chips each season.