Dinner: Mekong, Juliette, Pram Kai Mea, Dupuis Saigon, Lemon Zest
Mekong is a poly Tropical Acres offering that aims to please. A pleasant yellow brown skin hides yellowy flesh inside that remains smooth. Nothing reasonable resin gives it a tidy accent but nothing that was overpowering. Nice mango.
Juliette I haven't had the pleasure of in a while. This one ripened unevenly, a spoiled spot yet under-ripe everywhere else. Nonetheless, the edible portion was pretty good. Slight chalkiness, slight creaminess, somewhat reminiscent of ice cream (with an entirely different aroma though). Judging by this one, I estimate a properly ripe one will retain its place in my top 50.
Three things stand out for Pram Kai Mea. First, it's ridiculously sweet. It begs a brix meter assessment. If there's a sweeter mango, i'd like to know what it is. Second, the seed is ultra thin. Its all eating inside. Third, when is starts to spoil, as this one had, the spoiled flesh remains self contained, falling off into solid lumps leaving unspoiled flesh distinct and unaffected. Pretty neat. now, it does have a 'twang' flavor profile that some won't care for. I get it. But if that worls for you and you enjoy sweet, PKM delivers.
Dupuis was also going, going but what was edible remained delectable. Same story on spoiled spots falling away leaving unspoiled portion behind. Not far to rate but it was pretty good.
Drum roll.
The real Lemon Zest had arrived.
Har & my crew found three during their walkabout at Truly Tropical. I know its them because of the mottled green skin marks. Inside entirely unaffected. And my God. For several years prior to securing LZ, I thought it impossible for a mango to outdo PPK's peak intensity. Boy was I wrong.
LZ is bigger, bolder, sweeter, exceptionally complex and lie-down-on-the-couch-afterwards good. The only question after she shows up is, who's playing for second.