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Mangoes
Reputed to be the world's most popular fruit, mangos are now
cultivated and enjoyed in over one hundred countries. The top
five mango producing countries in the world are India, China, Thailand,
Pakistan and Mexico, in descending order. (Source: Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations)
Mangoes
Verieties
Ataulfo
Ataulfos have a very small seed, so there is a high flesh to seed ratio.
Flavor: Sweet and creamy
Texture: Smooth, firm flesh with no fibers
Color: Vibrant yellow
Shape: Small, flattened oval shape
Ripening Cues: Skin turns to a deep golden color and small wrinkles
appear when fully ripe. Squeeze gently to judge ripeness.
Peak Availability: March to July
Primary Source Country: Mexico
Francis
The Francis grows on small farms throughout Haiti.
Flavor: Rich, spicy and sweet
Texture: Soft, juicy flesh with fibers
Color: Bright yellow skin with green overtones
Shape: Oblong and sigmoid S-shape
Ripening
Cues: Green overtones diminish and the yellow becomes more golden as
the Francis ripens. Squeeze gently to judge ripeness.
Peak Availability: May to July
Primary Source Country: Haiti
Haden
The
fruiting of the Haden mango in 1910 inspired the creation of a
large-scale mango industry in South Florida. The industry has
since then been greatly reduced by the impact of development and
hurricanes.
Flavor: Rich, with aromatic overtones
Texture: Firm flesh due to fine fibers
Color: Bright red with green and yellow overtones and small white dots
Shape: Medium to large with an oval to round shape
Ripening Cues: Green areas of the mango turn to yellow as it ripens.
Squeeze gently to judge ripeness.
Peak Availability: April and May
Primary Source Country: Mexico
Keitt
Keitts are popular in Asian cultures, where they are enjoyed it in its
mature-green stage or even as pickles.
Flavor: Sweet and fruity
Texture: Firm, juicy flesh with limited fibers
Color: Dark to medium green, sometimes with a pink blush over a small
portion of the mango
Shape: Large oval shape
Ripening Cues: Skin stays green even when ripe. Squeeze gently to judge
ripeness.
Peak Availability: August and September
Primary Source Countries: Mexico, United States
Kent
Originating from Florida in the 1940’s, Kents are ideal mangos for
juicing and drying.
Flavor: Sweet and rich
Texture: Juicy, tender flesh with limited fibers
Color: Dark green and often has a dark red blush over a small portion
of the mango
Shape: Large oval shape
Ripening
Cues: Kents have yellow undertones or dots that cover more of
the
mango as it ripens. Squeeze gently to judge ripeness.
Peak Availability: January to March and June to August
Primary Source Countries: Mexico, Ecuador, Peru
Tommy Atkins
Hailing originally from Florida, Tommy Atkins is the most widely grown
commercial
variety coming into the United States.
Flavor: Mildly and sweet
Texture: Firm flesh due to fibers throughout
Color: A dark red blush often covers much of the fruit with green and
orange-yellow accents
Shape: Medium to large with oval or oblong shape
Ripening Cues: This mango may not provide any visual cues.
Squeeze gently to judge ripeness.
Peak Availability: March to July and October to January
Primary Source Countries: Mexico, Guatemala, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru
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