Growing up in Haiti, I tended to take mangoes for granted.  They were simply the fruit we had around, nothing to get excited about. A few years ago, I was in England and had a ripe Alphonso mango that transported me in its similarity to Mango Baptiste, a singularly Haitian variety.

The chase was on.  I have since discovered a handful of Florida mango growers that specialize in different varieties: Florida hybrids, Haitian, Indian, Thai, Vietnamese… for a pretty penny at the right time of year, you can try some amazing fruit.  My goal here is to catalog my impressions of what I get to help out anyone looking for new varieties down the line.

Here is my first order from Tropical Acres Farm in West Palm Beach, Florida.  They only have a Facebook page, but ship boxes of mangoes for $40/10lb.  If you request custom varieties based on their “what’s ripe” list, it’s $45/10lb.  I ordered Baptiste (on the right), Alphonso (bttom left), and asked for the grower’s favorite, which was Edward (on the left) that week.  It didn’t occur to me to take individual pictures until after I’d enjoyed them, but here are the tasting notes:

Baptiste: orange exterior, orange interior, on the smaller side, classic oval shape.  Taste: floral/herby, distinctive and sweet.  Texture: firm when ripe, not fibrous at all.  Juicy and good down to the seed–you’ll need napkins for this one.

Alphonso: yellow exterior tinged with slight red blush, yellow on the inside, large, classic oval shape.  Taste:  Wonderfully sweet, a touch on the floral side, very smooth.  Texture: not fibrous at all, should be eaten when it gives a little but not soft.  Juicy–you’ll need napkins for this one too!

Edward: greenish yellow exterior, yellow interior, large, classic oval shape.  Taste:  Amazingly sweet and creamy, unlike any store-bought mango ever.  Texture: smooth and soft when ripe, not fibrous at all.  SO juicy you’ll be eating around the seed over the sink if you’re smart!  This Florida hybrid is incredible!

Last week, I had cousins visiting from Florida who brought the requisite suitcase full of fresh backyard mangoes and treat of all treats, Nam Doc Mai mangoes from Truly Tropical!  Truly Tropical does not ship but they have orchard tours and a variety of other fruits like lychees, sapote, custard apples… They are located in Delray Beach if you’re ever in South Florida!

Unknown “Kang”:  these are from my cousin Kang’s backyard in Margate, Florida.  red exterior, bright peachy yellow interior, extra large, classic oval shape.  Taste: extremely mild and lightly sweet, somewhat like a firm nectarine that’s just getting ripe.  Texture: firm and almost crisp, not fibrous but not smooth either.  I ate this firm, after letting it sit for 4 days, and it was still not juicy.  It was, however, a great snack when sliced up and chilled.

Nam Doc Mai: this popular Thai variety is probably the most well-known with its elongated elegant shape and light green/yellow exterior.  Taste: unbelievably sweet and mild, almost honey-sweet when perfectly ripe.  Texture: buttery smooth, one of the few varieites I would eat with a spoon.  Juicy juicy juicy… this is a fantastic variety if you can find it.

I have another box coming this week–stay tuned for more mango yumminess!