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Tropical Fruit => Tropical Fruit Discussion => Topic started by: Cookie Monster on June 07, 2015, 08:18:30 PM

Title: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: Cookie Monster on June 07, 2015, 08:18:30 PM
I finally got to try the Harry Chanok at its perfect state of ripeness, and I have to say that Hausman was right -- it's a stellar mango. It's a bit like a cross between nam doc and sweet tart mango: super sweet with a subtle sub acid and the "coca cola" flavor near the rind. Yummy.

My tree, which I grafted from a Harry Chanok 3 or 4 years ago is in a 15 gal pot and rooted into the ground. This year it produced around a dozen mangoes. Looks like I'm finally going to plant her out in the yard :-).
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: fisherking73 on June 07, 2015, 08:22:02 PM
Coca cola?! Now I done heard it all!!  What flavor can mangoes not impersonate seems to be the better question
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: LivingParadise on June 07, 2015, 08:50:22 PM
Good to know. I will have to wait on mine at least another year before I get even one fruit. I hope to finally taste it this year, but I don't know where to get one nearby except if I get to the Miami Mango Festival this year and they have one, or Roberts Is Here in Homestead happens to get some. Last year, neither had any, nor had a lot of people I asked even heard of it.

Anybody who knows where I can try one in the extreme SFL area, let me know! Would Fruit & Spice Park ever carry one?... No clue.

Anyway, in all this time of not trying it, I have been a bit worried that I will finally get one 2 or 3 years after planting and painstaking care, and realize I don't like it! I am always reassured to hear another person likes it.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: HMHausman on June 07, 2015, 09:15:28 PM
I finally got to try the Harry Chanok at its perfect state of ripeness, and I have to say that Hausman was right -- it's a stellar mango. It's a bit like a cross between nam doc and sweet tart mango: super sweet with a subtle sub acid and the "coca cola" flavor near the rind. Yummy.

My tree, which I grafted from a Harry Chanok 3 or 4 years ago is in a 15 gal pot and rooted into the ground. This year it produced around a dozen mangoes. Looks like I'm finally going to plant her out in the yard :-).

I would say that I hate being right all the time......but that would be a lie. A perfectly ripe Maha is heaven on earth. My four trees are all on different schedules. My best producer from last year didn't bloom this year.  One tree is just maturing  fruit now. One has fruit about 3-4 weeks until maturity and the last might be 6-8 weeks away.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: Cookie Monster on June 07, 2015, 11:51:12 PM
HAHA Yah, I think the ones I got from your trees were overripe. This was the first time I got to eat one harvested from my own tree and where I could experiment with the eating stage. It seems like it's perfect to eat when the floral scent peaks out (about a day or two after harvesting).

I would say that I hate being right all the time......but that would be a lie. A perfectly ripe Maha is heaven on earth. My four trees are all on different schedules. My best producer from last year didn't bloom this year.  One tree is just maturing  fruit now. One has fruit about 3-4 weeks until maturity and the last might be 6-8 weeks away.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: FlyingFoxFruits on June 08, 2015, 12:21:59 AM
the complexity of the flavor is what draws me in!  like 8 flavors in one fruit...

I love how slow the tree grows...seems like all the best fruits come from slow growing trees!  ;D
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: johnb51 on June 08, 2015, 08:14:51 AM
That's another one on my "must try" list!
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: BrettBorders on June 08, 2015, 10:18:53 AM
a cross between nam doc and sweet tart mango: super sweet with a subtle sub acid and the "coca cola" flavor near the rind. Yummy.

You had me at the sub acid & "coca cola flavor"!   :D

I planted a tree in summer 2013 and this year it held onto just one fruit. 

(http://s3.postimg.cc/5l6ix1szj/IMG_20150604_102042_1.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5l6ix1szj/)


I can't wait to try it and get it just ripe.


Rob said to wait until the skin gets yellow before picking. How did your judge yours was ripe and ready to pick, Cookie Monster?


Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: naturelover on June 08, 2015, 10:20:23 AM
Maha is on the last mango plant list....I have yet to taste one however
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: jc on June 08, 2015, 10:22:00 AM
Last year  was my first harvest/taste and I thought it was missing something. The aroma was amazing but it never carried through in the taste. I'm hoping this year's crop, 40+ fruit, will have that full flavor.  I have an Excalibur tree.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: FlyingFoxFruits on June 08, 2015, 10:36:24 AM
lol, surprised you don't have a laser sensor, security system for that mango!

or hire a security guard with a pellet gun, day shift for squirrels, night shift for racoons!

a cross between nam doc and sweet tart mango: super sweet with a subtle sub acid and the "coca cola" flavor near the rind. Yummy.

You had me at the sub acid & "coca cola flavor"!   :D

I planted a tree in summer 2013 and this year it held onto just one fruit. 

(http://s3.postimg.cc/5l6ix1szj/IMG_20150604_102042_1.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5l6ix1szj/)


I can't wait to try it and get it just ripe.


Rob said to wait until the skin gets yellow before picking. How did your judge yours was ripe and ready to pick, Cookie Monster?
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: Jani on June 08, 2015, 11:36:12 AM
These seem to grow painfully slow.
Mine has had exactly one flush in about 18 months after being planted as a 3-gallon.  And the flush wasn't very aggressive, maybe adding a couple inches to the plant and singular branching. Tree's in a good spot, and being treated well with all its needs.

Man this thing is slow growing, even my Julie is like lightning compared to this...and other members seem to have the same experience.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: HMHausman on June 08, 2015, 12:00:09 PM
These seem to grow painfully slow.
Mine has had exactly one flush in about 18 months after being planted as a 3-gallon.  And the flush wasn't very aggressive, maybe adding a couple inches to the plant and singular branching. Tree's in a good spot, and being treated well with all its needs.

Man this thing is slow growing, even my Julie is like lightning compared to this...and other members seem to have the same experience.

Something is radically wrong with your Maha tree if this is an accurate statement.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: BrettBorders on June 08, 2015, 12:41:04 PM
Last year  was my first harvest/taste and I thought it was missing something. The aroma was amazing but it never carried through in the taste. I'm hoping this year's crop, 40+ fruit, will have that full flavor.  I have an Excalibur tree.

Wow.. 40+ fruit your second fruit year?!?!?!  Great.  Can you post pictures of your tree?
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: Cookie Monster on June 08, 2015, 12:46:18 PM
Mine hasn't been that slow. It's been a perfect pace: not too fast and not too slow. It's 4 years old, if memory serves, and stands about 7 feet tall having lived its entire life in pots (that's about to change :-). This is the first year that I got a harvest, and it produced just over 20 mangoes.

However, I wouldn't be surprised if an under fertilized Harry Chanok were to grow excruciatingly slowly under nitrogen deficient growing conditions. I've seen gal nam doc mai trees (planted from 3gallon) literally put on 2 flushes in 5 years under such conditions. The Dr  Campbell nitrogen starvation technique isn't ideal for all mango trees. Some need traditional nitrogen input to grow and produce well. I suspect that lemon zest, for example, is one that prefers a traditional fertilization regimen.

Harry's soil, being primarily muck, is undoubtedly nutrient rich. My Harry Chanok is rooted out (from the pot) into a several inch layer of compost and seems to be very appreciative of same.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: TnTrobbie on June 08, 2015, 01:12:15 PM
Got a tree ripened maha off of my tree yesterday. Hopefully I'll be impressed :rollseyes: :D . I remember when I first got my maha 3gal from Excalibur, it took about 6-7 months in ground before it showed any growth flush what so ever. Then the rains came and it exploded. It is a very handsome tree that takes well to pruning and tipping- no disease issues what so ever. Comparing similairly aged trees, it's my 2nd most productive (Neelam being 1st).
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: Carbo on June 08, 2015, 01:36:16 PM
Understanding that this cultivar is a slow grower, how big will the tree get if left to do its own thing inground?
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: jc on June 08, 2015, 02:26:25 PM
Sure, i will this evening.

Last year  was my first harvest/taste and I thought it was missing something. The aroma was amazing but it never carried through in the taste. I'm hoping this year's crop, 40+ fruit, will have that full flavor.  I have an Excalibur tree.

Wow.. 40+ fruit your second fruit year?!?!?!  Great.  Can you post pictures of your tree?
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: HMHausman on June 08, 2015, 02:26:54 PM
Understanding that this cultivar is a slow grower, how big will the tree get if left to do its own thing inground?
I have four trees. Two of them have been planted out for 20 years and two of them have been planted along the way since. Surprisingly, they are all more or less about the same size. The largest one maybe 15 feet tall the smallest one maybe 12 feet tall.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: FlyingFoxFruits on June 08, 2015, 02:44:06 PM
they're 20yrs old and about 12-15 ft tall?

and you have never pruned them?

Understanding that this cultivar is a slow grower, how big will the tree get if left to do its own thing inground?
I have four trees. Two of them have been planted out for 20 years and two of them have been planted along the way since. Surprisingly, they are all more or less about the same size. The largest one maybe 15 feet tall the smallest one maybe 12 feet tall.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: HMHausman on June 08, 2015, 02:54:38 PM
I didn't but Hurricane Wilma did. 
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: cbss_daviefl on June 08, 2015, 03:52:26 PM
My tree has a medium growth rate and at 2+ years in the ground I have about 15 fruit.

The interesting thing about this tree is that sometimes buds will swell to 1/4 of an inch and stop just before breaking.  They continue after 3+ months, pushing normal growth.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: FlyingFoxFruits on June 08, 2015, 05:01:33 PM
I didn't but Hurricane Wilma did.

I see!  so if it weren't for mother nature, and her little helper Wilma, how tall do you estimate your trees would have been ? (the tallest one?)
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: zands on June 08, 2015, 05:10:42 PM
If someone wants to buy a Maha Chanok tree call up/or email Mr Mike Bender at Benders Grove. He had some beautiful specimens when I was there a few weeks ago.

http://bendersgrove.com/ (http://bendersgrove.com/)  Benders Grove in Davie, Florida.

Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: BrettBorders on June 08, 2015, 05:40:02 PM
Harry,

Could you estimate an average yield (number of fruits per season) for an established Maha Chanok tree?

Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: HMHausman on June 08, 2015, 07:20:40 PM
I didn't but Hurricane Wilma did.

I see!  so if it weren't for mother nature, and her little helper Wilma, how tall do you estimate your trees would have been ? (the tallest one?)

Not sure how I would determine that estimation.  I can say that three of my trees never suffered damage as two of them were not in the ground when the storm hit.  The other tree that was in the ground has always been a bit stunted.  I think it stayed in a pot a little longer than the other original tree I received from Thailand and sort of bonsai'ed itself to some degree.  The tree is probably only about 12 feet tall without pruning and without loss of height in  Wilma.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: FlyingFoxFruits on June 08, 2015, 07:28:52 PM
ya i guess it is a stupid question...
i should just ask how many feet per year you get in growth

(also curious to know the girth of the trunk after 20 yrs? thicker than an average humans thigh?)

(have also heard if you get a root bound stunted mango tree, it will always be stunted if it gets a bad start)

 
I didn't but Hurricane Wilma did.

I see!  so if it weren't for mother nature, and her little helper Wilma, how tall do you estimate your trees would have been ? (the tallest one?)

Not sure how I would determine that estimation.  I can say that three of my trees never suffered damage as two of them were not in the ground when the storm hit.  The other tree that was in the ground has always been a bit stunted.  I think it stayed in a pot a little longer than the other original tree I received from Thailand and sort of bonsai'ed itself to some degree.  The tree is probably only about 12 feet tall without pruning and without loss of height in  Wilma.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: HMHausman on June 08, 2015, 07:52:22 PM
ya i guess it is a stupid question...
i should just ask how many feet per year you get in growth

(also curious to know the girth of the trunk after 20 yrs? thicker than an average humans thigh?)

(have also heard if you get a root bound stunted mango tree, it will always be stunted if it gets a bad start)

 
I didn't but Hurricane Wilma did.

I see!  so if it weren't for mother nature, and her little helper Wilma, how tall do you estimate your trees would have been ? (the tallest one?)

Not sure how I would determine that estimation.  I can say that three of my trees never suffered damage as two of them were not in the ground when the storm hit.  The other tree that was in the ground has always been a bit stunted.  I think it stayed in a pot a little longer than the other original tree I received from Thailand and sort of bonsai'ed itself to some degree.  The tree is probably only about 12 feet tall without pruning and without loss of height in  Wilma.

I'll take some pictures and post them later.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: FlyingFoxFruits on June 08, 2015, 08:03:36 PM
thanks Harry.

I got a tree for my parents from Excalibur last year...they refused to plant it or step it up...

it's still in a 3 gal pot...about 6 ft tall now...

I'm going to force them to plant it soon.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: jc on June 08, 2015, 08:22:05 PM
Correction 36 fruits. Planted as a very small 3 gal in Fall 2012. About 8' tall now. Grows very well, 4-6 flushes per year.

The bags and .177 cal pellets help keep the rodents from the fruit. The bags also catch the fruit if I don't pick it before it drops.

(http://s13.postimg.cc/lhy5t1dyr/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/lhy5t1dyr/)

(http://s13.postimg.cc/921fzakmr/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/921fzakmr/)

Last year  was my first harvest/taste and I thought it was missing something. The aroma was amazing but it never carried through in the taste. I'm hoping this year's crop, 40+ fruit, will have that full flavor.  I have an Excalibur tree.

Wow.. 40+ fruit your second fruit year?!?!?!  Great.  Can you post pictures of your tree?


Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: puglvr1 on June 09, 2015, 01:37:36 PM

Brett, good luck keeping that fruit...I think you will like it! Please let us know.


Very Nice Maha tree JC!! Only 5 fruits this year, purchased mine in January 2013, but didn't plant it till last August. Hoping to get more next year  :)

Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: Cookie Monster on June 09, 2015, 06:40:24 PM
Just gobbled another harry Chanok mango from my tree today. Dang that's a great mango. Reminds me a lot of Sweet Tart with a slightly different texture and not quite as strong a flavor.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: LivingParadise on June 09, 2015, 07:49:03 PM
So no one knows where one can try a taste of these in SFL (preferably extreme SFL)?
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: cbss_daviefl on June 09, 2015, 09:05:24 PM
A harry Chanok is best enjoyed in west broward!

I did a recount and my tree actually produced 25, not 15.  I still have 22 on the tree.  The only 2 year old tree on my property that beat that number was the sweet tart at 35+.

This is one of the few mango varieties that I will eat the flesh from the seed.  A lot of the seed is paper (ok, maybe cardboard) thin.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: FlyingFoxFruits on June 09, 2015, 09:21:27 PM
wow u guys are counting fruits!?

it's funny I guess I'm superstitious, but I believe it's bad luck!

I always end up with a lower number of fruit by the time they are ready to be harvested.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: fruitlovers on June 10, 2015, 04:53:37 AM
Coca cola?! Now I done heard it all!!  What flavor can mangoes not impersonate seems to be the better question

Does it fizz like a Coca Cola? I think eating too mant sweet fruits makes people have taste bud hallucinations?  ;) Maybe Harry can confirm it takes like Coca Cola? Or maybe he will disagree and think it's more like a Pepsi?  ;D
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: BrettBorders on June 10, 2015, 06:58:47 AM
Coca cola?! Now I done heard it all!!  What flavor can mangoes not impersonate seems to be the better question

Does it fizz like a Coca Cola? I think eating too mant sweet fruits makes people have taste bud hallucinations?  ;)

A number of mangoes contain a taste element that, to me, uncannily resemble Cocoa Cola syrup. This taste is sometimes concentrated close to the rind. Zinc / Sweet Tart and Simmonds come to mind. And no, it doesn't fizz or taste "spicy" like the carbonated beverage, it tastes kind flat and subdued, like the syrup. Cookie Monster pointed it out,  but I completely share his perception. I consider it one of the most delicious  & desirable mango subflavors... up there with Pina Colada / coconut creamy.

If I can taste the cola syrup in my Maha fruits, I will be ecstatic!  ;D

Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: BrettBorders on June 10, 2015, 06:59:42 AM
.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: HMHausman on June 10, 2015, 09:50:23 AM
Coca cola?! Now I done heard it all!!  What flavor can mangoes not impersonate seems to be the better question

Does it fizz like a Coca Cola? I think eating too mant sweet fruits makes people have taste bud hallucinations?  ;) Maybe Harry can confirm it takes like Coca Cola? Or maybe he will disagree and think it's more like a Pepsi?  ;D

Well.......there is an obvious sweet component to the Maha flavor.  I am not a big fan of Coke syrup or Pepsi.  I am one of those weirdos that got used to drinking diet sodas for weight control issues as  a kid and to me I prefer the taste of Diet Coke to regular Coke.  So I am probably going to be drummed out of the tasting descriptive committee/clique at the next general meeting of the Mango Snobs United. 

I can see where someone would describe the flavor as having a syrupy sweetness.  But this is only a part of the flavor profile.  I don't think we should get hung up on whether one person tastes coke syrup or another tastes something else. The fact is that a perfectly ripened Maha has a flavor profile that I have not found anyone at any of my tastings that didn't put the sample of fruit in their mouth and nod their head, open their eyes wide, point to the rest of the mango on the tasting plate and say.......one of the following things...... "what mango is that (in approval)" or "that's really, really good".....or "that was the best one so far"......or words to that end. Well, maybe with one notable exception. Anyone care to guess who might have been the sole unimpressed individual?
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: gunnar429 on June 10, 2015, 09:58:20 AM
Coca cola?! Now I done heard it all!!  What flavor can mangoes not impersonate seems to be the better question

Does it fizz like a Coca Cola? I think eating too mant sweet fruits makes people have taste bud hallucinations?  ;) Maybe Harry can confirm it takes like Coca Cola? Or maybe he will disagree and think it's more like a Pepsi?  ;D

Well.......there is an obvious sweet component to the Maha flavor.  I am not a big fan of Coke syrup or Pepsi.  I am one of those weirdos that got used to drinking diet sodas for weight control issues as  a kid and to me I prefer the taste of Diet Coke to regular Coke.  So I am probably going to be drummed out of the tasting descriptive committee/click at the next general meeting of the Mango Snobs United. 

I can see where someone would describe the flavor as having a syrupy sweetness.  But this is only a part of the flavor profile.  I don't think we should get hung up on whether one person tastes coke syrup or another tastes something else. The fact is that a perfectly ripened Maha has a flavor profile that I have not found anyone at any of my tastings that didn't put the sample of fruit in their mouth and nod their head, open their eyes wide, point to the rest of the mango on the tasting plate and say.......one of the following things...... "what mango is that (in approval)" or "that's really, really good".....or "that was the best one so far"......or words to that end. Well, maybe with one notable exception. Anyone care to guess who might have been the sole unimpressed individual?

ROFL  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: fisherking73 on June 10, 2015, 10:02:42 AM
Hmmmmmmmm............... thats BS to put that question out there and not give us an answer   8)
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: bsbullie on June 10, 2015, 10:37:04 AM
Coca cola?! Now I done heard it all!!  What flavor can mangoes not impersonate seems to be the better question

Does it fizz like a Coca Cola? I think eating too mant sweet fruits makes people have taste bud hallucinations?  ;) Maybe Harry can confirm it takes like Coca Cola? Or maybe he will disagree and think it's more like a Pepsi?  ;D

Well.......there is an obvious sweet component to the Maha flavor.  I am not a big fan of Coke syrup or Pepsi.  I am one of those weirdos that got used to drinking diet sodas for weight control issues as  a kid and to me I prefer the taste of Diet Coke to regular Coke.  So I am probably going to be drummed out of the tasting descriptive committee/click at the next general meeting of the Mango Snobs United. 

I can see where someone would describe the flavor as having a syrupy sweetness.  But this is only a part of the flavor profile.  I don't think we should get hung up on whether one person tastes coke syrup or another tastes something else. The fact is that a perfectly ripened Maha has a flavor profile that I have not found anyone at any of my tastings that didn't put the sample of fruit in their mouth and nod their head, open their eyes wide, point to the rest of the mango on the tasting plate and say.......one of the following things...... "what mango is that (in approval)" or "that's really, really good".....or "that was the best one so far"......or words to that end. Well, maybe with one notable exception. Anyone care to guess who might have been the sole unimpressed individual?

oooo ooooo, me me...Sheeeeeeeeeeehan   hahahahahahahaahahaha
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: fruitlovers on June 10, 2015, 06:08:17 PM
Coca cola?! Now I done heard it all!!  What flavor can mangoes not impersonate seems to be the better question

Does it fizz like a Coca Cola? I think eating too mant sweet fruits makes people have taste bud hallucinations?  ;) Maybe Harry can confirm it takes like Coca Cola? Or maybe he will disagree and think it's more like a Pepsi?  ;D

Well.......there is an obvious sweet component to the Maha flavor.  I am not a big fan of Coke syrup or Pepsi.  I am one of those weirdos that got used to drinking diet sodas for weight control issues as  a kid and to me I prefer the taste of Diet Coke to regular Coke.  So I am probably going to be drummed out of the tasting descriptive committee/click at the next general meeting of the Mango Snobs United. 

I can see where someone would describe the flavor as having a syrupy sweetness.  But this is only a part of the flavor profile.  I don't think we should get hung up on whether one person tastes coke syrup or another tastes something else. The fact is that a perfectly ripened Maha has a flavor profile that I have not found anyone at any of my tastings that didn't put the sample of fruit in their mouth and nod their head, open their eyes wide, point to the rest of the mango on the tasting plate and say.......one of the following things...... "what mango is that (in approval)" or "that's really, really good".....or "that was the best one so far"......or words to that end. Well, maybe with one notable exception. Anyone care to guess who might have been the sole unimpressed individual?

oooo ooooo, me me...Sheeeeeeeeeeehan   hahahahahahahaahahaha

What? Rob, you don't like soda pop? Obviously not, because you're not crazy over a mango that tastes like Coca Cola syrup!  ;) Now i'm also wondering how people even know what Coca Cola syrup tastes like? Who goes around tasting Coca Cola syrup?  :o
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: bsbullie on June 10, 2015, 08:44:50 PM
Oscar - my response was to Harry where he said there is one individual who doesn't like the Mahachanok....and that would be Sheehan.

As for the cola syrup taste, no idea what these people are referring to.   I have eaten plenty of Mahachanok and never tasted anything that would rresemble what i would perceive as a cola syrup taste.  Now i will be honest, i dont scrape the skin with my teeth but still...
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: starling1 on June 10, 2015, 08:48:14 PM
Oscar - my response was to Harry where he said there is one individual who doesn't like the Mahachanok....and that would be Sheehan.

As for the cola syrup taste, no idea what these people are referring to.   I have eaten plenty of Mahachanok and never tasted anything that would rresemble what i would perceive as a cola syrup taste.  Now i will be honest, i dont scrape the skin with my teeth but still...

never had a maha that had even a hint of anything that even remotely resembled cola syrup.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: BrettBorders on June 10, 2015, 08:53:35 PM
Oscar,

I worked at a movie theater concession stand in high school...  Where I was in charge of maintaining a half dozen Coke fountains and keeping them loaded with cartons of syrup.... tasting them to make sure the mix with carbonated was proportionate to the amount of syrup. I tasted a lot of cola syrup!

I was also professionally trained in dispensing artificially flavored buttery liquid onto popcorn. Some customers requested scandalous amounts... One lady wanted so much it probably filled the bottom1" of the tub...

If Zills ever releases a Movie Theater Butter mango ;) ... It would be perfect to enjoy alongside a nice cola flavored mango... Which are amongst my favorite
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: fruitlovers on June 10, 2015, 09:14:39 PM
Oscar - my response was to Harry where he said there is one individual who doesn't like the Mahachanok....and that would be Sheehan.

As for the cola syrup taste, no idea what these people are referring to.   I have eaten plenty of Mahachanok and never tasted anything that would rresemble what i would perceive as a cola syrup taste.  Now i will be honest, i dont scrape the skin with my teeth but still...

OK, so you are crazy over the Maha Chanok? Maha means great, so it has to be great!  ;)
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: murahilin on June 10, 2015, 09:47:29 PM
It's an okay mango at best. Very mild. Needs more spicy/turpentine flavor.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: edzone9 on June 10, 2015, 09:59:55 PM
Coca Cola syrup?= Corn Fructose ? Interesting  ;D..

Im glad the Maha Received Great Reviews Got 2 of those bad boys ! 8)
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: fruitlovers on June 10, 2015, 11:46:04 PM
Was it ever decided if there are different types of Maha Chanok floating around? I got a tree from TT and am wondering if i'm going to have the same or different fruit than Harry has?
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: bsbullie on June 11, 2015, 12:08:49 AM
Was it ever decided if there are different types of Maha Chanok floating around? I got a tree from TT and am wondering if i'm going to have the same or different fruit than Harry has?

You got tye real thing.  The Mahachanok TT sells now and have sold in the past came/come from Excalibar.   It was brought into the US years after Harry's however the original trees that all of the "offspring " were propagated from were picked out and sent here hy Richard Wilson personally on one of his trips to Thailand.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: fruitlovers on June 11, 2015, 01:31:28 AM
Was it ever decided if there are different types of Maha Chanok floating around? I got a tree from TT and am wondering if i'm going to have the same or different fruit than Harry has?

You got tye real thing.  The Mahachanok TT sells now and have sold in the past came/come from Excalibar.   It was brought into the US years after Harry's however the original trees that all of the "offspring " were propagated from were picked out and sent here hy Richard Wilson personally on one of his trips to Thailand.

OK thanks! I'm ready for my Coca Cola mango.  ;)
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: HMHausman on June 11, 2015, 08:49:48 AM
Pun intended.......Maha is The Real Thing!
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: BrettBorders on June 11, 2015, 09:33:26 AM
Not to start a Cola War in a Maha Chanok thread.. but I'd like to throw down a Pepsi Challenge for skeptics of the superb flavor that Cookie Monster first described:

1. Open a can of Cola and let it sit in the refrigerator for several days until it tastes totally flat to approximate the taste of cola syrup. (The carbonation significantly 'jazzes up' the taste)

2. Get a Sweet Tart mango.  Let it turn completely yellow a ripen until soft.

3. Taste a slice of the Sweet Tart mango. Especially the flesh close to the skin. Scrape it off with your teeth. Make a note of the different tastes. Then try and sip of the flat cola.

I challenge anyone to try this experiment. If you have different findings than us, I would love to hear about it in another thread. If it doesn't taste like cola, then how would you describe the taste?

I love this particular flavor so much that if we could develop a mango that was dominated by this flavor, rather than just a subflavor, it would be a dream come true.

edit: Another close approximate that came to mind was Willie Wonka Bottlecaps candy - the cola ones. I probably haven't had one since some Halloween decades back. But from memory, it closely approximates this desirable mango subflavor.



Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: bsbullie on June 11, 2015, 09:38:37 AM
Not to start a Cola War in a Maha Chanok thread.. but I'd like to throw down a Pepsi Challenge for skeptics of the superb flavor that Cookie Monster first described:

1. Open a can of Cola and let it sit in the refrigerator for several days until it tastes totally flat to approximate the taste of cola syrup. (The carbonation significantly 'jazzes up' the taste)

2. Get a Sweet Tart mango.  Let it turn completely yellow a ripen until soft.

3. Taste a slice of the Sweet Tart mango. Especially the flesh close to the skin. Scrape it off with your teeth. Make a note of the different tastes. Then try and sip of the flat cola.

I challenge anyone to try this experiment. If you have different findings than us, I would love to hear about it in another thread. If it doesn't taste like cola, then how would you describe the taste?

I love this particular flavor so much that if we could develop a mango that was dominated by this flavor, rather than just a subflavor, it would be a dream come true.

Done it (and with other mangoes), tastes eerily similar to a ZINC..oh wait, there is a reason for that, its a sedling of ZINC.  Do I taste any "cola syrup", nope.  Does that make your assessment wrong, nope.  Crazy maybe but not wrong  ;).  Everybody has a different palate and to go further, you can easily read something and get something in your mind and your mind can make it so.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: Cookie Monster on June 11, 2015, 11:11:00 AM
hahah yah, to me it's a distinct cola syrup flavor in both the sweet tart and the harry Chanok. I don't know of any better way to describe it.

In regards to the Maha Chanok, if eaten very ripe, the cola syrup / south east asian spice is not detectable. In this state, the mango is bland and boring and hence why I never liked it before. But when eaten in the state that some might consider slightly underripe, it's very noticeable.

Another way to sense the "cola syrup" flavor is to smell the sap that exudes from the cut site just after harvesting the mango.

I've also noted that the "middle class" end of the mango eating population tend to eat mangoes using an elaborate technique whereby the mango flesh is sliced into cubes and eaten as if it were hors d'oeuvres. In that format, I believe the flavor near the rind could be lost, since it's difficult to scrape the flesh from the skin with one's teeth. (More importantly, it's difficult to wolf the mango down when separated into 30 little pieces. :-)

I generally cut the mango into 3 pieces, with the seed in the middle. Then, I scrape out the flesh from the 2 end pieces with my teeth, which, in addition to ensuring that no delectable morsel of mango meat is lost, probably enhances the rind flavor :-).
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: bsbullie on June 11, 2015, 11:38:25 AM
hahah yah, to me it's a distinct cola syrup flavor in both the sweet tart and the harry Chanok. I don't know of any better way to describe it.

In regards to the Maha Chanok, if eaten very ripe, the cola syrup / south east asian spice is not detectable. In this state, the mango is bland and boring and hence why I never liked it before. But when eaten in the state that some might consider slightly underripe, it's very noticeable.

Another way to sense the "cola syrup" flavor is to smell the sap that exudes from the cut site just after harvesting the mango.

I've also noted that the "middle class" end of the mango eating population tend to eat mangoes using an elaborate technique whereby the mango flesh is sliced into cubes and eaten as if it were hors d'oeuvres. In that format, I believe the flavor near the rind could be lost, since it's difficult to scrape the flesh from the skin with one's teeth. (More importantly, it's difficult to wolf the mango down when separated into 30 little pieces. :-)

I generally cut the mango into 3 pieces, with the seed in the middle. Then, I scrape out the flesh from the 2 end pieces with my teeth, which, in addition to ensuring that no delectable morsel of mango meat is lost, probably enhances the rind flavor :-).

It will be ok, Jeff.  I have made the call, the white padded truck is on its way.  We will get you the help you so dearly need...and stop eating mangoes underripe.

Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: Cookie Monster on June 11, 2015, 02:58:50 PM
HAHAHAH My wife would appreciate that. I gobble all the mangoes down while she's patiently waiting for them to ripen on the counter :-)
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: gunnar429 on June 11, 2015, 07:06:14 PM
I had one of Harry's Maha Chanoks today and it was out of this world!!!!!!!!!!!

Perfect mixtue of subacid with sweet with floral--very hard to explain, but after tasting alll the varieties, the Maha was the one we finished off first!! 

Very happy I have the tree!!!

Thanks, Harry. 

Maha Chanok=mango nirvana
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: fruitlovers on June 12, 2015, 02:57:54 AM
Pun intended.......Maha is The Real Thing!

I'm waiting for the Diet Cola version.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: TnTrobbie on June 12, 2015, 08:32:16 AM
Mahas are now starting to ripen in my neck of the woods ( 2/ week) and I have to concur with the strong coca cola syrup reference. To me, even the sweet scented sap is perfumed with that cola syrup flavor. If you're fortunate to have visited a fast food chain whose beverage dispener ran out of carbonated water thus loading your drink with coca cola syrup....that's what it tastes like. More impressive are the very undersized, but tree ripened Maha (with seed),...very sweet with that concentrated syrup taste. I am wow-ed and it's clearly the best mango I've had from my yard this season.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: gunnar429 on June 12, 2015, 10:04:58 AM
mmmmmm  nothing like stale cola.....  So glad I don't get any of this soda syrup taste or I'd be done with mangoes for a while.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: bsbullie on June 12, 2015, 10:49:17 AM
mmmmmm  nothing like stale cola.....  So glad I don't get any of this soda syrup taste or I'd be done with mangoes for a while.

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: HMHausman on June 12, 2015, 06:22:19 PM
(http://s6.postimg.cc/5bywzfb0d/20150609_100753.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5bywzfb0d/)

Here's the trunk of my 20 year in the ground Maha.  The tree has become somewhat shaded out by faster growing trees to all sides, but the top of the canopy does get full sun and there are fruits that have set throughout the tree. The tree was mowed down by Hurricane Wilma and was never fully up righted.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: HMHausman on June 12, 2015, 06:24:47 PM
Here's one of my heavier fruiting trees along a 4 foot fence.  This tree has been in the ground for about 7 years.

(http://s6.postimg.cc/qf48tfssd/20150609_101112.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/qf48tfssd/)
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: HMHausman on June 12, 2015, 06:27:59 PM
Here's another shot from a different angle.

(http://s6.postimg.cc/ki0dcmbnh/20150609_100914.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/ki0dcmbnh/)

That's a Hasya sapodilla behind and a Lalee Jewo in front.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: jc on June 12, 2015, 06:30:58 PM
When the concept of eating MC mangos at different stages of ripeness came up I found it interesting.

This year is only my third year of harvesting mangos but realy only my first year with enough fruit to taste at different stages of ripeness. So I've experimented this season.

Primary I've eaten Dot, Val Carrie, Carrie, Rosigold, Brahm Kai Mea, Angie, and a couple of Sweet Tarts. Maha C and the rest are not ready yet.

I have decided that I prefer some of these fruit at full color but still more firm. For instance the Dot, Sweet Tart, and Val Carrie are much more complex in flavor when they are fully colored but still firmer flesh. The complexity at this stage is mind blowing. When I let them get softer and more golden / orange, the sugars overwhelm the complex flavors and i taste ultra rich and sweet mango.  They're still terrific BUT they lack that "Holy $#!T"  factor.

My 2 pennies.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: puglvr1 on June 13, 2015, 08:50:54 AM

"wow u guys are counting fruits!?

it's funny I guess I'm superstitious, but I believe it's bad luck!

I always end up with a lower number of fruit by the time they are ready to be harvested."

You're right Adam  ;)... but 5 is an easy number to keep track of,lol...but I'm realistic enough to know that most likely that will not be the 'final' number I get to eat  :'(

Nice pictures Harry!

 Here's mine...fingers crossed!
(http://s16.postimg.cc/x3e4e5zw1/IMG_5284.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/x3e4e5zw1/)
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: johnb51 on June 13, 2015, 01:55:49 PM
So as good as Mahachanok is, nobody is claiming it's the GOAT, as seemed to be the case a few years back before Lemon Zest came on the scene?
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: gunnar429 on June 13, 2015, 02:02:03 PM
the one i had last week could have won the day at any table
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: fruitlovers on June 13, 2015, 05:33:59 PM
So as good as Mahachanok is, nobody is claiming it's the GOAT, as seemed to be the case a few years back before Lemon Zest came on the scene?

Maha Chanok is like Lance Armstrong. It got disqualified for being on performance drugs. HAHA  No mango will last long on the top. There is just too much competition now a days.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: johnb51 on June 14, 2015, 07:51:14 AM
I think we're looking for those performance drugs in our mangos! Nothing gets disqualified.

Hasn't there always been a lot of mango varieties, Oscar? Of course, now we have Gary Zill and his breeding program.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: savemejebus on June 14, 2015, 08:28:26 AM
I have nightmares of flat soda being brought to my table by a waiter. Let's get a fully carbonated Coca Cola mango that fizzles in my mouth when eating. We can call it "Rabies Mango" as you foam at the mouth while eating.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: Mangomaniac on June 14, 2015, 08:45:34 AM
Our Maha Chanok flowered and fruited for the 1st time this year. Its about 5 years old and 10 ft tall.
 Its loaded with about 70 fruit, and I had to support the branches. The 1st fruit came off 2 weeks ago with beautiful color and aroma, BUT the taste was bland and watered down. All the other fruit are still hard. Is the tree overworked ? Should I thin the herd a little next year if its loaded again? We,re in PBC Fl.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: bsbullie on June 14, 2015, 08:45:45 AM
I have nightmares of flat soda being brought to my table by a waiter. Let's get a fully carbonated Coca Cola mango that fizzles in my mouth when eating. We can call it "Rabies Mango" as you foam at the mouth while eating.

Maybe if its overripe /fermented it would be carbonated cola syrup...  :o ??? :(
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: Zeeth on June 14, 2015, 08:49:11 AM
Our Maha Chanok flowered and fruited for the 1st time this year. Its about 5 years old and 10 ft tall.
 Its loaded with about 70 fruit, and I had to support the branches. The 1st fruit came off 2 weeks ago with beautiful color and aroma, BUT the taste was bland and watered down. All the other fruit are still hard. Is the tree overworked ? Should I thin the herd a little next year if its loaded again? We,re in PBC Fl.

I've heard (but don't yet have experience with) that the first year of fruit is always the worst tasting, and it gets better as the years pass until it hits it's peak somewhere. This is second hand information though, so I don't yet have the experience to say that it's definitely true.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: zands on June 14, 2015, 09:21:23 AM
Our Maha Chanok flowered and fruited for the 1st time this year. Its about 5 years old and 10 ft tall.
 Its loaded with about 70 fruit, and I had to support the branches. The 1st fruit came off 2 weeks ago with beautiful color and aroma, BUT the taste was bland and watered down. All the other fruit are still hard. Is the tree overworked ? Should I thin the herd a little next year if its loaded again? We,re in PBC Fl.

I've heard (but don't yet have experience with) that the first year of fruit is always the worst tasting, and it gets better as the years pass until it hits it's peak somewhere. This is second hand information though, so I don't yet have the experience to say that it's definitely true.

It varies. Half my mango trees gave me awful or sub-par fruit the first year....like kind of a transition year between no fruiting and full honest fruiting.
While the other half gave good representative mangoes the first year.

My first fruiting year for my Neelam I was amazed. It held 13 fruits. I ate one and it was so foul I tossed it and stripped off all the others so that the small tree could put out more branch-leaf growth. Leaving the fruits on tree would pull resources away from branch -leaf growth.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: Mangomaniac on June 14, 2015, 10:12:57 AM
OK, thanks Zands, it has been an unusual year so far. My NDM also taste very bland this year. The Glenns and Carries were very good, but already most are off the tree! Still waiting on the LZ that produced for the 1st time this year (5). Hope they're better than the MC.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: Cookie Monster on June 14, 2015, 01:30:53 PM
Sometimes, this is true. Also, flavor varies from year to year. Some years mangoes x, y, and z are insanely delicious while mangoes a, b, and c are boring. Then the following year vice versa.

For example, the glenn this year have been better than usual for me, but the carrie has been off.

OK, thanks Zands, it has been an unusual year so far. My NDM also taste very bland this year. The Glenns and Carries were very good, but already most are off the tree! Still waiting on the LZ that produced for the 1st time this year (5). Hope they're better than the MC.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: fruitlovers on June 15, 2015, 01:43:13 AM
I think we're looking for those performance drugs in our mangos! Nothing gets disqualified.

Hasn't there always been a lot of mango varieties, Oscar? Of course, now we have Gary Zill and his breeding program.

Was an off joke due to fact i recently watched a movie about Lance Armstrong. What i really meant is that no mango can stay at the very top for long, just like no athlete can stay at top for long, just because now there is so much competition. (Very rare exceptions exist, like Serene Williams.)
Yes there have been lots of mango varieties for a long time. BTW mango grafting only started in 16th century. Before that all mangoes were grown in India from seed. It was the Portuguese in India, in state of Goa, that started the mango grafting craze. After that there were lots of new cultivars. But i don't think the number of new varieties every year was nearly as many as now.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: gunnar429 on June 15, 2015, 09:09:21 AM
There is a tendency when reading the reviews on this forum, to hold out for what folks say is the best tasting mango, so you can have the king in your yard.  Tasting these new flavor grenade varieties from Gary and a few others has changed my opinion.

Basically, in my experience at Harry's, Gary's presentation, and tasting at Walter's is that there are good mangoes and elite mangoes (queue the elitism whispers) :P   When one discovers a truly elite mango, it no longer matters whether it will win the day....they're so good that you realize you want that in your life.  Thus, great old varieties like Glenn, Haden, etc are no less appetizing than they always were, but no longer necessitate being planted out in one's yard IMO.  The idea isn't to make sure you have the king, but to make sure you have all kings planted out.  Having a yard with maha chanok, angie, lemon zest, coconut cream, sweet tart, fruit punch, and the like would make every summer that much better...no joke, these new mangoes are SO intense.

If one had a tasting of say the imaginary top 10 varieties on Earth, they would be impossible to rank.  How would you rank coconut cream against lemon zest?  Fruit punch against sweet tart.  Plus, one of the world's best mangoes would finish last, yet likely be better-tasting than what most ppl on Earth will be planting  :'(  So, for me, I am now going to tastings with the idea of getting to either 1.  try how good a variety I have tasted before is on that day/year/ripeness 2. Find out which mangoes don't make the cut, sort to determine which varieties are truly the best for my family's tastes and 3.  to get a general idea what a variety tastes like, even if I have no intentions of planting it out.  As previously stated in another thread, I had 3 mangoes yesterday (Fruit Punch, Seacrest, Sweet Tart) and 3 last week (PPK, Maha chanok, angie) that all got me to say:  "Wow, I think that's the best mango I have ever tasted!"  Can't even imagine trying to further sort them out---when they are all outstanding on their own.

Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: naturelover on June 15, 2015, 09:17:43 AM
There is a tendency when reading the reviews on this forum, to hold out for what folks say is the best tasting mango, so you can have the king in your yard.  Tasting these new flavor grenade varieties from Gary and a few others has changed my opinion.

Basically, in my experience at Harry's, Gary's presentation, and tasting at Walter's is that there are good mangoes and elite mangoes (queue the elitism whispers) :P   When one discovers a truly elite mango, it no longer matters whether it will win the day....they're so good that you realize you want that in your life.  Thus, great old varieties like Glenn, Haden, etc are no less appetizing than they always were, but no longer necessitate being planted out in one's yard IMO.  The idea isn't to make sure you have the king, but to make sure you have all kings planted out.  Having a yard with maha chanok, angie, lemon zest, coconut cream, sweet tart, fruit punch, and the like would make every summer that much better...no joke, these new mangoes are SO intense.
If one had a tasting of say the imaginary top 10 varieties on Earth, they would be impossible to rank.  How would you rank coconut cream against lemon zest?  Fruit punch against sweet tart.  Plus, one of the world's best mangoes would finish last, yet likely be better-tasting than what most ppl on Earth will be planting  :'(  So, for me, I am now going to tastings with the idea of getting to either 1.  try how good a variety I have tasted before is on that day/year/ripeness 2. Find out which mangoes don't make the cut, sort to determine which varieties are truly the best for my family's tastes and 3.  to get a general idea what a variety tastes like, even if I have no intentions of planting it out.  As previously stated in another thread, I had 3 mangoes yesterday (Fruit Punch, Seacrest, Sweet Tart) and 3 last week (PPK, Maha chanok, angie) that all got me to say:  "Wow, I think that's the best mango I have ever tasted!"  Can't even imagine trying to further sort them out---when they are all outstanding on their own.

Now as far as Elite goes, I think newer sometimes isn't better but rather, on par ;  Baileys Marvel was superb this year, as good a LZ.  The one Cushman I had was amazing as well. Not to say that the newer Zill varieties aren't excellent, I sometimes think that people just favor the latest thing....   and of course, the tree itself matters to many ( size, disease resistance, growth habit, etc)

Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: bsbullie on June 15, 2015, 10:13:10 AM
There is a tendency when reading the reviews on this forum, to hold out for what folks say is the best tasting mango, so you can have the king in your yard.  Tasting these new flavor grenade varieties from Gary and a few others has changed my opinion.

Basically, in my experience at Harry's, Gary's presentation, and tasting at Walter's is that there are good mangoes and elite mangoes (queue the elitism whispers) :P   When one discovers a truly elite mango, it no longer matters whether it will win the day....they're so good that you realize you want that in your life.  Thus, great old varieties like Glenn, Haden, etc are no less appetizing than they always were, but no longer necessitate being planted out in one's yard IMO.  The idea isn't to make sure you have the king, but to make sure you have all kings planted out.  Having a yard with maha chanok, angie, lemon zest, coconut cream, sweet tart, fruit punch, and the like would make every summer that much better...no joke, these new mangoes are SO intense.
If one had a tasting of say the imaginary top 10 varieties on Earth, they would be impossible to rank.  How would you rank coconut cream against lemon zest?  Fruit punch against sweet tart.  Plus, one of the world's best mangoes would finish last, yet likely be better-tasting than what most ppl on Earth will be planting  :'(  So, for me, I am now going to tastings with the idea of getting to either 1.  try how good a variety I have tasted before is on that day/year/ripeness 2. Find out which mangoes don't make the cut, sort to determine which varieties are truly the best for my family's tastes and 3.  to get a general idea what a variety tastes like, even if I have no intentions of planting it out.  As previously stated in another thread, I had 3 mangoes yesterday (Fruit Punch, Seacrest, Sweet Tart) and 3 last week (PPK, Maha chanok, angie) that all got me to say:  "Wow, I think that's the best mango I have ever tasted!"  Can't even imagine trying to further sort them out---when they are all outstanding on their own.

Now as far as Elite goes, I think newer sometimes isn't better but rather, on par ;  Baileys Marvel was superb this year, as good a LZ.  The one Cushman I had was amazing as well. Not to say that the newer Zill varieties aren't excellent, I sometimes think that people just favor the latest thing....   and of course, the tree itself matters to many ( size, disease resistance, growth habit, etc)

That is very true.  I had someone say to me yesterday that Southern Blush is just an average run of the mill mango caus ethere are so many newer and better varieties out.  While some of the newer varieties may be exceptional, it does not and should not turn an very good "old variety" into an average mango.

As far as "top ____ list", I really like Cushman and it would tend to find a place in the upper tier in just about any tasting.  Baileys Marvey, never really liked it and I would group it with VP, Julie, Carrie and others that I am just not fond of.  Does that mean that is gospel across the board?  No, just one's opinion.  Everybody has to like what they like and not like something because someone else does.  If someone else says they like something else and you taste it and really like it, then that is fine and their choice. 

Bottom line, everyone should go with what they like and there is nothing wrong with that no matter what somebody else likes or says.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: TnTrobbie on June 15, 2015, 10:31:30 AM
Funny you mention Southern Blush mangoes :). Spyke's Groves on Griffin Rd had loads of em in various stages of ripeness yesterday so I bought ~20lbs and tasted it for the first time. What a delicious mango. Extremely sweet with pineapple and sugar cane (o.O) tones to my taste buds. Not rich and complex like Maha but no more or less enjoyable.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: gunnar429 on June 15, 2015, 10:32:35 AM
There is a tendency when reading the reviews on this forum, to hold out for what folks say is the best tasting mango, so you can have the king in your yard.  Tasting these new flavor grenade varieties from Gary and a few others has changed my opinion.

Basically, in my experience at Harry's, Gary's presentation, and tasting at Walter's is that there are good mangoes and elite mangoes (queue the elitism whispers) :P   When one discovers a truly elite mango, it no longer matters whether it will win the day....they're so good that you realize you want that in your life.  Thus, great old varieties like Glenn, Haden, etc are no less appetizing than they always were, but no longer necessitate being planted out in one's yard IMO.  The idea isn't to make sure you have the king, but to make sure you have all kings planted out.  Having a yard with maha chanok, angie, lemon zest, coconut cream, sweet tart, fruit punch, and the like would make every summer that much better...no joke, these new mangoes are SO intense.
If one had a tasting of say the imaginary top 10 varieties on Earth, they would be impossible to rank.  How would you rank coconut cream against lemon zest?  Fruit punch against sweet tart.  Plus, one of the world's best mangoes would finish last, yet likely be better-tasting than what most ppl on Earth will be planting  :'(  So, for me, I am now going to tastings with the idea of getting to either 1.  try how good a variety I have tasted before is on that day/year/ripeness 2. Find out which mangoes don't make the cut, sort to determine which varieties are truly the best for my family's tastes and 3.  to get a general idea what a variety tastes like, even if I have no intentions of planting it out.  As previously stated in another thread, I had 3 mangoes yesterday (Fruit Punch, Seacrest, Sweet Tart) and 3 last week (PPK, Maha chanok, angie) that all got me to say:  "Wow, I think that's the best mango I have ever tasted!"  Can't even imagine trying to further sort them out---when they are all outstanding on their own.

Now as far as Elite goes, I think newer sometimes isn't better but rather, on par ;  Baileys Marvel was superb this year, as good a LZ.  The one Cushman I had was amazing as well. Not to say that the newer Zill varieties aren't excellent, I sometimes think that people just favor the latest thing....   and of course, the tree itself matters to many ( size, disease resistance, growth habit, etc)

That is very true.  I had someone say to me yesterday that Southern Blush is just an average run of the mill mango caus ethere are so many newer and better varieties out.  While some of the newer varieties may be exceptional, it does not and should not turn an very good "old variety" into an average mango.

As far as "top ____ list", I really like Cushman and it would tend to find a place in the upper tier in just about any tasting.  Baileys Marvey, never really liked it and I would group it with VP, Julie, Carrie and others that I am just not fond of.  Does that mean that is gospel across the board?  No, just one's opinion.  Everybody has to like what they like and not like something because someone else does.  If someone else says they like something else and you taste it and really like it, then that is fine and their choice. 

Bottom line, everyone should go with what they like and there is nothing wrong with that no matter what somebody else likes or says.
Agreed (hell, i planted bombay and PSM because I like them)....just make sure you get a good variety to try, maybe hit up fruit and spice park for some of the older varieties and make sure you hit up Walter's place for the new designer mangoes.  Once you've tried them, plant the trees that you like best.  I love Dot and Southern Blush, but it is hard to beat some of these newer mangoes...LZ, ST, FP, Seacrest, etc.  But, yeah, some of the oldies are still goodies...and to each his own.  I work with a lady who strongly believes that Haden is the best mango EVER--funny, it happens to be what's in her yard...I didn't even bother trying to convert her--she's already in mango heaven  ;) :o ???
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: simon_grow on June 15, 2015, 01:58:00 PM
To Gary and others with bland Mahas, I wonder if severely reducing water to your plants will help intensify the flavor. I mean to the point of just keeping your plant alive. I know this will be difficult for people that live in a high rainfall area. I think thinning fruit from younger, heavily producing trees may help as well.

Simon
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: bsbullie on June 15, 2015, 02:15:04 PM
To Gary and others with bland Mahas, I wonder if severely reducing water to your plants will help intensify the flavor. I mean to the point of just keeping your plant alive. I know this will be difficult for people that live in a high rainfall area. I think thinning fruit from younger, heavily producing trees may help as well.

Simon

If that were the issue, virtually nobody would have Mahas with any flavor.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: HMHausman on June 15, 2015, 02:38:54 PM
I love Dot and Southern Blush

Funny, but Southern Blush was the first mango that I ever tasted that made me want to actually plant a mango tree.  I finally did in about 1991 and Southern Blush will always hold a special place on my property and in my heart (and mouth) as the first producing mango tree in my yard.  When at peak of perfection, still an excellent mango capable of wowing any mango connoisseur.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: cbss_daviefl on June 15, 2015, 03:29:09 PM
I admit I made the comment as to whether Southern Blush should make the list of what belongs in my yard.  I have never tasted an excellent southern blush.  At best, I would put the southern blush I have tasted in the very good category with most in just the good category.  I have eaten excellent fruit from Dot, Florigon, Mulgoba, Rosa, Cushman, Spirit of 76, PPK, Maha Chanok, Carrie, and many other older cultivars, but not Southern Blush.  Maybe I need to add a "yet" to that statement.  I would prefer to have a low production excellent tasting tree than a high production limited to the very good category.  I already have that with Glenn, 400+ good to very good fruit, which go straight to the dehydrator because I have better fruit to enjoy. 

I have a southern blush tree planted.  I have no plans to remove it.  However, I live on 2.5 acres and still have room for more trees.  Based on my experience, I do not think I would recommend it to someone that only had room for 10 mango trees.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: bsbullie on June 15, 2015, 03:41:06 PM
I admit I made the comment as to whether Southern Blush should make the list of what belongs in my yard.  I have never tasted an excellent southern blush.  At best, I would put the southern blush I have tasted in the very good category with most in just the good category.  I have eaten excellent fruit from Dot, Florigon, Mulgoba, Rosa, Cushman, Spirit of 76, PPK, Maha Chanok, Carrie, and many other older cultivars, but not Southern Blush.  Maybe I need to add a "yet" to that statement.  I would prefer to have a low production excellent tasting tree than a high production limited to the very good category.  I already have that with Glenn, 400+ good to very good fruit, which go straight to the dehydrator because I have better fruit to enjoy. 

I have a southern blush tree planted.  I have no plans to remove it.  However, I live on 2.5 acres and still have room for more trees.  Based on my experience, I do not think I would recommend it to someone that only had room for 10 mango trees.

Brandon, I was not referring to anythng you said (sorry you just outed yourself).  It was somebody else who said it to me after you left.
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: cbss_daviefl on June 15, 2015, 04:19:58 PM
So two people were talking smack to you about southern blush.  Yesterday was a rough day for southern blush. 

;D  I think I am establishing myself as a mango elitist. I consider myself very lucky to be surrounded by fellow enthusiasts so we can all make better mango choices in the future!
Title: Re: A New Maha Chanok Convert
Post by: HMHausman on June 15, 2015, 06:23:20 PM
So two people were talking smack to you about southern blush.  Yesterday was a rough day for southern blush. 

;D  I think I am establishing myself as a mango elitist. I consider myself very lucky to be surrounded by fellow enthusiasts so we can all make better mango choices in the future!

A mango elitist with the stated goal of improving mango selection in the mango growing world.  What a noble endeavor.