Mexico is famous for its mangoes. This tropical fruit is grown here in large quantities. Mexico is also a key exporter of mangoes in the world, and the bulk of exports are directed to the powers of North America, the USA and Canada. The proximity of export markets makes it possible to keep the fruits on the trees until almost full ripening, as a result of which Mexican mangoes have a richer and sweeter taste.
Mexico's climate is ideal for mango cultivation. Mangoes in Mexico can be bought all year round, however, the lowest prices and the largest assortment — from February to September. This is how long the mango season lasts in Mexico.
In addition to whole mangoes, on sale in Mexico you can often find chopped oblong pieces of mango in plastic cups. Before eating, sprinkle them with lemon juice and sprinkle with red pepper. You can add salt instead of lemon. An incredible combination of flavors, but this is how many Mexicans prefer to eat mangoes, «besieging» its sweetness.
To fully enjoy the exotic taste of mango, you should know how to choose it.
There are five main varieties of mangoes grown in Mexico, and they can vary greatly in shape and color. In particular, the Ataulfo mango has small, curved fruits that are almost yellow in color with pink spots when ripe. Another common variety — mango Tommy Atkins, which in Mexico is more often called Paraiso — large fruits of a round, slightly elongated shape, dark yellow-red with green tints when ripe. Some varieties never lose their green color when ripe — for example, Kesar or Kent.
Mango varieties also differ in consistency and flavor. For example, ataulfo is almost never fibrous, and paraiso is often fibrous and with «coniferous» shades of taste. Ataulfo is sweeter, but paraiso has a more refined taste. They are not better or worse than one another, they are just different.
General selection rule — The mango fruit should be smooth and elastic visually, but soft to the touch. Too soft — also bad: the pulp will be as sweet as possible, but the consistency — like porridge, especially at ataulfo. It is better to feel with your palm rather than with your fingers.
Don't be afraid to buy unripe mangoes — In 1-2 days they will ripen perfectly at normal temperatures. If the mango begins to overripe, it is better to store it in the refrigerator.
Color and size
It is not a good idea to buy fruits that are too small. This is especially true for paraiso, whose fruits are quite large.
Pay attention to the color. Ataulfo has fully ripe yellow fruits, while paraiso — yellow-red. Both varieties should have a minimum of green tints, but in many cases their presence does not mean that the fruit is unripe.
If the mango fruit still has a stalk, it should stick out vertically and not be pressed down — this indicates that the fetus has reached its maximum weight.
Pulp of ripe mango fruit — bright yellow in color and completely without green tints.
Stains and bruises
As the fruit ripens, it becomes softer, and dark spots and bruises may appear on it. Many people buy mangoes with these spots, believing that they have reached full ripeness. The spots appear only on the peel; there are no spots inside the fruit.
Ataulfo sometimes has the ability to look wrinkled — this also speaks of its ripeness. Under any circumstances, spots should not be confused with mechanical damage to the fetus. On some varieties, dark spots may not appear at all.
Aroma
The more intense and sweeter the mango smell, the riper the fruit. Sniffing is required in the area of the stalk. You will immediately understand that the mango is ripe if you smell its unforgettable aroma.
However, a sour or alcoholic smell may indicate that the fruit is overripe and even fermented.
Taste
Less ripe mango fruit contains more acid and has a more pronounced «pine» taste. A fully ripe mango contains almost no acid, and the taste is “pine needles.” may be completely absent. Now it’s up to you to decide which taste you prefer. Some people find that a fully ripe mango tastes «flat» and sickly sweet.
Even if your mango is a little unripe, add it to a fruit salad. There are many other exotic fruits in Mexico, and adding sour mango to your salad with them will give it a unique tropical taste!