When and where are California Keitt's available?

[simon_grow]

The California (Coachella Valley) grown Keitts were excellent last year and I was wondering if anyone has seen them around yet? I purchased mine last year from Trader Joe's, Costco and the local Asian markets like aluvky Seafood. I would love to pick some up if anyone spots any so please post here if you happen upon some. Thanks in advance!

Simon

[Zarafet]

For me they are ALWAYS at the 99 cent only stores this time of the year.  They are $1 each and huge. I bought 20 the other day.

[Zarafet]

I lied, you said california, the ones I get are Mexican.

[Bush2Beach]

The Keitts are coming. They were early last year but it's usually September if memory serves me.

[simon_grow]

Thanks everyone, please post here if you see the Keitts. I'm not opposed to the Mexican ones but I prefer the ones that are not hot water dipped although I've had some excellent tasting Mexican grown Keitts.

Simon

[Zarafet]

Yes, please do, I don't recall having a Cali keitt.

[BrianL]

I'm going to eat them until I get really sick when they show up.

[barath]

I got a number of California Keitt's last year that weren't very good, which was disappointing because in previous years they were excellent.  Anyone know if some brands are better than others?

[Zarafet]

I'd like to know just like the poster where you find them once available.

[fyliu]

Anyone know how to contact the growers in the Salton Sea?

[BajaJohn]

Anyone know how to contact the growers in the Salton Sea?

A couple of articles with leads found with a Google search.
http://www.theproducenews.com/category-list/9-story-cat/1498-1367
http://www.sunset.com/travel/california/mango-madness
http://newamericamedia.org/2017/08/coachella-rising-aging-farmworkers-unions-organic-mangos-the-salton-sea.php

As Simon said, the major growing area is the Coachella Valley around places like Mecca.

Wong farms supplying Santa Monica farmers market https://www.wongfarms.org
Tilden Farms - Fruits & Veggies - 17055 Van Buren Blvd, Riverside, CA 92504 (951) 780-2200 https://www.yelp.com/biz/tilden-farms-riverside

[Clay]

My wife spoke with the guy from Tilden farms at our local Farmer's Market yesterday. He said the Keitt mangos are out, but still VERY expensive, so he isn't bringing them to the Farmer's Market yet.

[greenman62]

i am curious as to what are in the stores now then ??
i usually go to one of 3 Latin markets
but, Wall Mart is also carrying them now (whatever they are)

Last year i think it was Kent that was really good
or, maybe it was year before last ?
i couldnt stop eating them.

This year, whatever is in stores now is pretty decent
ive gotten them from 2 latin stores, and an Indian store.
some were from Mexico
i cant remember where the others were from
but, i think Ecuador ? or maybe Guatamala ?
The last ones were not that large, last month they were huge.
I am in New Orleans, so i am not that good at identifying the variety.
Ive been thinking Kent, but these last ones seem awful small for Kent ?
about the size of a smaller Tommy, but taste much better.

[Dylan SB]

I purchased 3 CA Keitts today at Whole Foods in Santa Barbara.

[boxturtle]

Anyone know how to contact the growers in the Salton Sea?

A couple of articles with leads found with a Google search.
http://www.theproducenews.com/category-list/9-story-cat/1498-1367
http://www.sunset.com/travel/california/mango-madness
http://newamericamedia.org/2017/08/coachella-rising-aging-farmworkers-unions-organic-mangos-the-salton-sea.php

As Simon said, the major growing area is the Coachella Valley around places like Mecca.

Wong farms supplying Santa Monica farmers market https://www.wongfarms.org
Tilden Farms - Fruits & Veggies - 17055 Van Buren Blvd, Riverside, CA 92504 (951) 780-2200 https://www.yelp.com/biz/tilden-farms-riverside

mango can survive out there?

[simon_grow]

Mexican Keitts are available at Costco and other retailers. I'll check out Whole Foods and Trader Joe's to see if they have the California Keitts and report back. This year, the Mexican Kents were very good with Brix of 19%. Lucky Seafood is where I purchased them.

Simon

[BrianL]

I had something labeled "tree ripened" Kents from Mexico at a super market up here.  They were about to go bad. But what was still good was superb at least by my California Mango standards.

[Clay]

I've been getting some nice Kents from Costco for about two months. I sliced up several boxes of them and dehydrated them so I can enjoy them for a few more months. Today I was at Costco and saw they now only have Tommys.... No wait, what is that in the back? A few boxes of Keitts (from Mexico)! So I bought two boxes of those to try out. The price was right: 6 mangoes for $5.49. I'll let them sit for a few days to sweeten up a bit. If they are good, I'll go back for more and get the dehydrator back out.

Haven't seen any California Keitts though.

[spaugh]

I got a couple mexican kents and they were garbage compared to the altufalos.  Will toss the seeds in a pot and try them for rootstock.

[spaugh]

Picked up a mexican keitt at sprouts in poway today.  Havent tried it yet.  Will let you know if I see CA grown but looks like all we get in Poway is made in Mex.

[barath]

I found some California-grown Esquire Mangoes today at El Cerrito Naturals (East Bay) -- they were listed as Keitt offspring.  I hadn't heard of them before.  They are actually the first non-Indian mango I've gotten at a store with the Indian mango (pine-y) flavor, though not quite as sweet.

[BrianL]

I got three yesterday.  They were good, but not as good as in former years so far.  The "tree ripened" mexican Kents I got were actually better based on the first one I ate.

[Clay]

I've been getting some nice Kents from Costco for about two months. I sliced up several boxes of them and dehydrated them so I can enjoy them for a few more months. Today I was at Costco and saw they now only have Tommys.... No wait, what is that in the back? A few boxes of Keitts (from Mexico)! So I bought two boxes of those to try out. The price was right: 6 mangoes for $5.49. I'll let them sit for a few days to sweeten up a bit. If they are good, I'll go back for more and get the dehydrator back out.

Haven't seen any California Keitts though.

So far, I'm not very impressed with the Mexican Keitts that I got at Costco. Not very sweet, not much flavor. I don't expect to be buying more.

[spaugh]

The mexican kent and kietts have been blah IMO.

Someone who lives near palm springs gave us 2 mangos off their tree today.  Giant green ones.  I assume they are kietts.  Will take a photo later and see if they are any better than the mex stuff.

[behlgarden]

I bought a box of kents, giant ones, weer very fragrant, and super delicious. clocked 24 on Brix meter.