So here's the thing. Those who know me know I enjoy mangoes as much as anyone. This year sees Future's Florida Fruit Feast 8 kickoff. I flew to Miami on Friday, met with Cookie Monster straight from the airport. Saturday morning, first Squam's, then Truly Tropical. Sunday: Walter Zill then later I connected with Sleepdoc. This morning was my final stop, Zills Nursery. At every stop my daughter complained I bought too much...
What did I secure? Well....since 2011 I have tried a ridiculous number of various. For the last few years I've kept a mental list of my top 50 mangoes. This year I bought no less than 30 from that list, plus a bunch more. Including...
PPK
Gary
Dot
Ice Cream
Pickering
Sunrise
Cac
Sweet Tart
Fairchild
Neelam
Mallika
Juliette
Kaeli K
Sia Siam
Zill indochinese
Glenn
East Indian
Rumani
Kesar
Orange Sherbert
Graham
Dupuis Saigon
Beverly
Simmons
Piña colada
Venus
Kathy
Pram Kai mea
Cushman
Lemon Zest
Golden Queen
Maha Chanok
Jakarta
Carrie
36-8 (unreleased)
Sugarloaf
O-15
Super Julie
Creme Brûlée
Julie
Coconut Cream
Ice Cream
Cotton Candy
Seacrest (Triple Sec)
Perez (a family heirloom)
Edgar
Pineapple Pleasure
Duncan
Honey Kiss
Fruit Punch
Glenn
Maha Chanok
If you have had any of these, you know world class mango. If not, well this might be your chance. Today I drove to Lake Mary, where I will be for the next week. I am considering hosting a private tasting to share mango joy. Yes, I spent a small fortune flying in, hotel, car rental and a boat load of mangoes. What's the catch? Well in 2017 my mother in law started a school for underprivileged girls in the west African nation of Sierra Leone. She set aside 1 acre on the 5 acre plot for a botanical garden, only the 3rd in the entire country. Of course she recruited me to set it up. So in May we made an epic journey taking 35 top tier barerooted mango trees across the Atlantic. All survived except one. It was an amazing experience and success.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkQ8cBzg3cT/?taken-by=hopeacademyslBut, I need your help. You see, the property is currently unfenced and we need to raise money to build one. In tropical developing countries, unprotected fruits are basically considered free. And theft would crush our ability to generate the revenue needed to keep the school going. Currently only 1 in 10 girls in this area complete high school. This school is changing that.
So, this idea would be the first step toward raising money to fence in Hope Academy's Botanical Garden.
If you are in the Orlando / Winter Park or other place within driving distance and interesting in attending a private tasting and making a donation toward this fun(d) raiser...let me know.
This idea just came to me so I have no idea on a venue (suggestions welcomed) but the date would most likely be this weekend.
Of course I can only offer what mangoes are ripe on the day and no guarantees as to what that is...
Cast your vote now...