Florida Mango Feast (and Reviews) July 2013!

[Cookie Monster]

Yes, ice cream is an incredible mango.

Breakfast:

Martian Pride - lemony pleasantness.  Sweet, slightly tangy and very smooth.  Yellow fleshed.

Ice Cream: scrumptious yellow fleshed mango.  This was slightly under-ripe but I could see how great a ripe one would be.  Even in this state I could hardly remember what Martian Pride was like.  Ice Cream had taken over my brain.  It had that slight chalky taste similar to an underripe lemon zest - a very pleasant feature.  Love this divinely coloured, scented and sweet mango.

[HMHausman]

Yes, ice cream is an incredible mango.

If you can get it to produce.  This year I was hopeful that I would have the best crop ever.  Lots of fruit set.  Most dropped and I was left with the same three fruit production I usually get.  Two of which crack just before I harvest them and the last one I take off and ripen and enjoy it.

[Future]

Yes, ice cream is an incredible mango.

Breakfast:

Martian Pride - lemony pleasantness.  Sweet, slightly tangy and very smooth.  Yellow fleshed.

Ice Cream: scrumptious yellow fleshed mango.  This was slightly under-ripe but I could see how great a ripe one would be.  Even in this state I could hardly remember what Martian Pride was like.  Ice Cream had taken over my brain.  It had that slight chalky taste similar to an underripe lemon zest - a very pleasant feature.  Love this divinely coloured, scented and sweet mango.

What is the story behind this mango?

[HMHausman]

My understanding is that Mauruice Kong introduced it from Trinidad or Tobago, I forget which.  Initially it was quite extolled, winning best flavored at many tastings.  I believe it was a Curator's Choice and propagated for Fairchild at least one year, maybe more.  Then production issues become evident here in Florida and Campbell removed it from the Curator's Choice list.

[Future]

My understanding is that Mauruice Kong introduced it from Trinidad or Tobago, I forget which.  Initially it was quite extolled, winning best flavored at many tastings.  I believe it was a Curator's Choice and propagated for Fairchild at least one year, maybe more.  Then production issues become evident here in Florida and Campbell removed it from the Curator's Choice list.

Yikes.  I will temper my expectations accordingly.

[Cookie Monster]

The ones I've grown in pots produced reasonably well. They got powdery mildew, but that didn't stop them from producing.

The folks a few streets over from us had a tree that was doing very well.

Carlos over at Lara Farms said that their tree did well.

My guess is that it's like the julie -- does very well in some environments and poorly in others.

So, I wouldn't give up on the tree just because a few individuals have not had success with it. You may be in a growing environment where it succeeds. Don't follow the herd -- try it yourself. That's the only way we'll know where it does well and where it doesn't.

[Future]

The ones I've grown in pots produced reasonably well. They got powdery mildew, but that didn't stop them from producing.

The folks a few streets over from us had a tree that was doing very well.

Carlos over at Lara Farms said that their tree did well.

My guess is that it's like the julie -- does very well in some environments and poorly in others.

So, I wouldn't give up on the tree just because a few individuals have not had success with it. You may be in a growing environment where it succeeds. Don't follow the herd -- try it yourself. That's the only way we'll know where it does well and where it doesn't.

Duly noted.  What size pots are you using?

[Future]

Breakfast: Myatrynat, Dot, Rapoza
Myatrynat continues to ripen and justify its place at the table.  It seems I have more yellows this year than orange fleshed varieties, at least amongst what has ripened so far.

Dot: my only fruit, it started to blush on one side but remained green on the other.  It gave a little so I waited a day and today was its day.  What a delight.  Very smooth, silky really.  Sweet yet a hint of richness.  A very good mango.

Rapoza: this was the ripest I have eaten this yet.  This was a fairly large fruit, it could have been a meal on its own.  It continues to please with fiberless flesh all the way to the seed.  What a great mango.

Lunch: Florigon, Ice Cream

My solo Florigon was up to bat for lunch.  It was also green but felt close enough to ripe as we race the clock to enjoy these mangoes before departing the US on Sunday.  We are not even halfway there yet.  Tis was a good mango, sweet and fiberless also with hints on richness.  A good appetizer.

Ice Cream again stole the show.  The bright yellow flesh is striking against the thick green skin of the small mango.  It seems many of the smaller mangoes have thicker skin and the large ones have thin skin.  Eating he flesh off the skin is great and the main course around the seed doesn't disappoint.  That chalky taste still reminds me of a sightly underripe lemon zest.

I found an Eldon ripening so that may make it for dinner of breakfast and an Itamaraca is also softening.  The huge Rapoza may have to get cut up and while one part is rock hard the other is soft and orange.  Wen to cut is the question.  Two Ice Creams and a PPK are also readying to be eaten soon.

[Cookie Monster]

7 gallon.

The ones I've grown in pots produced reasonably well. They got powdery mildew, but that didn't stop them from producing.

The folks a few streets over from us had a tree that was doing very well.

Carlos over at Lara Farms said that their tree did well.

My guess is that it's like the julie -- does very well in some environments and poorly in others.

So, I wouldn't give up on the tree just because a few individuals have not had success with it. You may be in a growing environment where it succeeds. Don't follow the herd -- try it yourself. That's the only way we'll know where it does well and where it doesn't.

Duly noted.  What size pots are you using?

[Future]

Ok.  I decided to tackle eat the big Rapoza.  It weighed over 2lbs.  I admit it was more than I could eat.  To find such a huge fiberless and sweet mango is a treat.  Relatively small seed size given the size of the fruit makes it quite something.  I was lopping off huge chunks of fiberless flesh with room to spare.  There was a rotting spot on it and some jelly inside but the size of the fruit enabled that to be navigated.  Portions of the fruit were in different zip codes.  Delightful.


Huge Rapoza (+2lbs)

[Future]

7 gallon.

The ones I've grown in pots produced reasonably well. They got powdery mildew, but that didn't stop them from producing.

The folks a few streets over from us had a tree that was doing very well.

Carlos over at Lara Farms said that their tree did well.

My guess is that it's like the julie -- does very well in some environments and poorly in others.

So, I wouldn't give up on the tree just because a few individuals have not had success with it. You may be in a growing environment where it succeeds. Don't follow the herd -- try it yourself. That's the only way we'll know where it does well and where it doesn't.

Duly noted.  What size pots are you using?

Wow. That is impressive.  Buried pots?

[Cookie Monster]

Nay, remember that it's a dwarf tree. A typical crop on my 7gallon trees would be 4 to 5 fruits.

7 gallon.

Wow. That is impressive.  Buried pots?

[Mr. Clean]

Ok.  I decided to tackle eat the big Rapoza.  It weighed over 2lbs.  I admit it was more than I could eat.  To find such a huge fiberless and sweet mango is a treat.  Relatively small seed size given the size of the fruit makes it quite something.  I was lopping off huge chunks of fiberless flesh with room to spare.  There was a rotting spot on it and some jelly inside but the size of the fruit enabled that to be navigated.  Portions of the fruit were in different zip codes.  Delightful.


Huge Rapoza (+2lbs)

Fairchild removed the Rapoza from the Curators Choice list...any idea why?

[Future]

Itamaraca:  these are the tiniest little gems.  Roundish shaped and only two or three inches wide.  I need to be thorough impressed with something so small to grow it.  But Itamaraca's small size did not conceal a big punch.  It was a decent taste as far as mangoes go but too tiny for attention.  And paying $2 for each one was way too much.  Someone remind me next year.  (I am sure the small mangoes should have been $1 each but the guy that served me at the table insisted they were $2 no matter what size.

Eldon:  This is a good sized mango with mediocre for flavor.  Nothing that blew me away but I am sure left on its own it could satisfy most supermarket mango buyers.

Keitt:  Most here are familiar with this mango.  I picked up about a half dozen from Zills, the only variety they were picking last week, and this one was not fully ripe.  It did give a little so I tried it and it still tasted pret good.  The chalky underripe taste was there which is really growing on me.

More Ice Cream was eaten for breakfast, a rare excuse for me to do so.

In the mean time I am still enjoying sapodillas and several coconut milk based Rashimi jackfruit smoothies every day.

[Future]

Juicy Jupiter: this is what appears to be a new offering out of Fairchild and I know not what the parentage is.  What I do know is that is it a great selection.  Good size, fiber free, sweet and as the name suggests, juicy.  A lovely yellow and reddish colour too.  This mango is among the best I have had this trip, and I have had some good ones.  Reminds me somewhat of Maha Chanok.  Yea, it is that good.

Langra: I took a chance at eating this Indian variety green and it didn't work out.  Not ripe enough to judge.  I have had disease issues in Bermuda (high humidity) with the Indian bred varieties so only bought one of these.

Ice Cream: this mango continues to amaze me.  The word scrumptious continues to come to mind.  It carried the day (or should I say the evening), beating out JJ and Keitt by a nose.  Great flavor.

Keitt: I very much enjoyed this mango.  I am running short on time so at the slightest give, mangoes are getting eaten.  Working out the daily rate I need to consume them at prior to departure....is a sobering number.  Some will not make it but as long as I get a good mix of seeds, its all good.  Today's Keitt was a real delight.  Rich, sweet, fiber free and silky smooth.  Great size and lots of good eating to be had.  If this was all I had, it would be all good.

Preview: ripe ones are running short but upcoming for tommorow we have Itamaraca, Myatrynat, Martian pride a the last of the PPK and Ice Cream.  We will see what ripens more overnight.  Bailey's looks like it make its appearance so too.  Lots more mangoes to eat...

[HMHausman]

Juicy Jupiter: this is what appears to be a new offering out of Fairchild and I know not what the parentage is.  What I do know is that is it a great selection.  Good size, fiber free, sweet and as the name suggests, juicy.  A lovely yellow and reddish colour too.  This mango is among the best I have had this trip, and I have had some good ones.  Reminds me somewhat of Maha Chanok.  Yea, it is that good.

No...say you are exaggerating.  Please.  Must I have yet another mango tree? 

[Tropicalgrower89]

Juicy Jupiter: this is what appears to be a new offering out of Fairchild and I know not what the parentage is.  What I do know is that is it a great selection.  Good size, fiber free, sweet and as the name suggests, juicy.  A lovely yellow and reddish colour too.  This mango is among the best I have had this trip, and I have had some good ones.  Reminds me somewhat of Maha Chanok.  Yea, it is that good.

No...say you are exaggerating.  Please.  Must I have yet another mango tree?

lol

[Future]

Juicy Jupiter: this is what appears to be a new offering out of Fairchild and I know not what the parentage is.  What I do know is that is it a great selection.  Good size, fiber free, sweet and as the name suggests, juicy.  A lovely yellow and reddish colour too.  This mango is among the best I have had this trip, and I have had some good ones.  Reminds me somewhat of Maha Chanok.  Yea, it is that good.

No...say you are exaggerating.  Please.  Must I have yet another mango tree?

Well for the record, my wife - who has never eaten a Maha Chanok - ranked the Keitt over the JJ.  So maybe it ain't quite in Maha Chanok territory.  But it took my mind here for sure...might be just me though.  Buyer beware! 

So far this year the winners have been:
1. PPK
2. Ice Cream
3. Juicy Jupiter + Keitt
4. Dot + Fairchild
5. Rapoza + Florigon

So far nothing has trumped Ivory, although PPK comes close.  Mammou, Borsha, Nam Doc Mai and Manzanillo still all are in my top 10.  Ranking these is always risky in that on any given day anyone could trump the others.  And there are still many untasted.

[BestDay]

The more you keep talking about how great the Ice Cream Mangos are, the more I go out to my tree and look at the three ripening on it.  I can't wait. 

Thanks for the write ups.  I'm always interested in  hearing what people favorite mangos are.

Bill

[Future]

Juicy Jupiter: this is what appears to be a new offering out of Fairchild and I know not what the parentage is.  What I do know is that is it a great selection.  Good size, fiber free, sweet and as the name suggests, juicy.  A lovely yellow and reddish colour too.  This mango is among the best I have had this trip, and I have had some good ones.  Reminds me somewhat of Maha Chanok.  Yea, it is that good.

No...say you are exaggerating.  Please.  Must I have yet another mango tree?

Well for the record, my wife - who has never eaten a Maha Chanok - ranked the Keitt over the JJ.  So maybe it ain't quite in Maha Chanok territory.  But it took my mind here for sure...might be just me though.  Buyer beware! 

So far this year the winners have been:
1. PPK
2. Ice Cream
3. Juicy Jupiter + Keitt
4. Dot + Fairchild
5. Rapoza + Florigon

So far nothing has trumped Ivory, although PPK comes close.  Mammou, Borsha, Iman Pasand, Nam Doc Mai and Manzanillo still all are in my top 10.  Ranking these is always risky in that on any given day anyone could trump the others.  And there are still many untasted.

Forgot to mention Iman Pasand.

[MangoFang]

Future - this has been an entirely joyful romp through the mango kingdom.
We still have some more chapters yet to read, right?  Till Sunday?


Gary

[DurianLover]

I like your "job". Travelling the world, sampling local varieties... I hope you like durian. You should go Penang during the season and give us some insights.
Too bad Rapoza isn't making topmost grades for you. I had high hopes for this variety. Could be just soil and climate.

[Tropicdude]

I like your "job". Travelling the world, sampling local varieties... I hope you like durian. You should go Penang during the season and give us some insights.
Too bad Rapoza isn't making topmost grades for you. I had high hopes for this variety. Could be just soil and climate.

Rapoza did make the top 5, I'd say that is very good.  consider all that were tested that did not make that top 5.

[fruitlovers]

In order to have a really fair taste test the mangos should be numbered, not named. The person tasting them shouldn't know their names because the name will prejudice the outcome given that you will already have some expectations around it. I realize this is not practical format for you Future, but in large taste tests this is how it should be done.

[Future]

Thanks for the encouragement by all. 

@ MangoFang: Yes, we are rolling all the way thru Sunday with whatever ripens. 

@ DurianLover: Penang sounds good....when is a good time to go?  Based on the stories I heard, I would have put Rapoza in my top 3.  But I had to summon objectivity to put together this list.  It is still a high priority for me due to its growth habit (persistent flowering until fruit set which is a major problem in my country).  Being ultra fiberless - all the way to the seed - is also a boon.  But the complex sweet taste of PPK and Ice Cream trumped them this week.  I could easily have swapped by #4 and #5 choices.  Volume also matters.  I only had one Dot, one Florigon, 4 Rapozas and 2 Fairchilds.  Perhaps unfair to all.  Bottom line, if they are on this list, they are great mangoes to me.

Any one could carry the day on a given day.  I'll be back in a few hours with a review of today's breakfast.

PS I am barely having room to eat anything but fruit if it wasn't obvious....