Mango Season in Florida
Mangoes, the king of fruits, have an undeniable allure that draws us in with their vibrant colors, intoxicating aroma, and succulent taste. Mango season in Florida is a unique experience for fruit lovers in the United States, offering an unparalleled selection of tropical mango varieties that you can’t find anywhere else in the United States.
In this article, we’ll dive into the world of Florida’s mangoes and discover the magic of this tropical fruit that is beloved all over the world.
We’ll review the colorful and diverse mango varieties grown in the Sunshine State and explore the factors that shape their production during mango season in South Florida. You’ll learn how to select, store, and enjoy them, all while supporting local growers who have an important impact on Florida’s economy.
Short Summary
Taste the delicious flavors of Florida’s mango season from May to October!
Enjoy a variety of popular mango varieties with unique tastes and aromas.
Support local growers while indulging in culinary delights like mango salsa and smoothies!
Shop Tropical Fruit from the Fairchild Farm at our Online Store!
Florida’s Mango Season: A Feast of Tropical Fruits
When Is Mango Season in Florida? How Long Does It Last?
Florida mango season usually starts in May and ends in October. During these warm and sunny months, South Florida becomes a mango haven as its orchards begin to produce tropical fruit.
However, weather conditions, such as temperature, rainfall, and humidity, can extend or shorten the mango season.
South Florida boasts an impressive array of mango varieties, including the popular Tommy Atkins, Kent, Keitt, Haden, and Ataulfo. Each of the many varieties offers a unique charm.
Different mango varieties also have their unique ripening schedules. For instance, the renowned Tommy Atkins typically ripens in May and June, while the Haden mango variety makes its appearance in June and July, and the Keitt mango graces us with its presence in August and September.
As the season unfolds, you’ll find different mangoes become available at different times, providing a succession of tasty mango varieties and ensuring a continuous supply of juicy mangoes that you can enjoy eating throughout the summer months.
When & Where to Buy Mangos in Florida
During the season, mangoes can be purchased from Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s online store. Below is some more information about the varieties of Florida mangos Fairchild has to offer.
Shop Tropical Fruit from the Fairchild Farm at our Online Store!
Choc Anon and Lemon Meringue “Honey and Lemon” Mixed Box – $30
This mixed box of limited availability has 6 lbs of Choc Anon and Lemon Meringue. Don’t miss out on this; these two mangos perfectly complement each other.
Choc Anon
Choc Anon, This small yellow Thai mango is also known as the “Honey” mango. This peculiar cultivar is sometimes known to fruit in the winter and then again in the summer making the Choc Anon a fun tree for backyard planting. Choc Anon in the collection consistently produces extremely sweet fruit in the summer.
Lemon Meringue
Lemon Meringue/PPK/Po Pyu Kalay, In 1995, Maurice Kong, a founding member of the Miami Rare Fruit Council brought the “Po Pyu Kalay” back from Myanmar. The introduction of this “citrusy” mango to the United States was game-changing. These fruits sparked the interest of Gary Zill so much that PPK genetics/parenthood are an important part of his breeding program. Both Lemon Zest and Orange Sherbet were PPK seedlings. Gary Zill also renamed the Po Pyu Kalay the “Lemon Meringue” and with this, it became a “designer” mango. These small yellow mangos come early in the season. The flesh is yellow and fiberless with an excellent flavor and mild citrusy aroma and taste. The flavor is sweet and tart, like lemon meringue.
Fairchild Mixed Box – $30
The 6lb Fairchild mixed cultivar box includes the “Fairchild” and the “Angie”. This box also includes at least two other cultivars comprised of the following, Fairchild Emerald, “Fairchild Ruby/Super Julie,” Cogshall, Karen Michelle, Cambodiana, and or Florigon.
Duncan and Glenn Mixed Box – $30
This 6 lb box is a mixed selection of Glenn, Duncan, and Ed x Earl #15 varieties. These old Florida mangos have stood the test of time and are still very popular. These mangos share some origins and complement each other very well.
The Ed x Earl #15 (Wester) mango was an Edward seedling selected by David Sturrock from his breeding program begun in the 1950s in West Palm Beach, FL, and was originally labeled ‘Edward x Earle #15’. The pollen parent was a Philippine-Carabao type called the ‘Earle’. The fruit is oblong, medium-sized, and turns dull yellow at maturity. The flesh is soft, yellow, and fiberless, the flavor is in the Philippine/Indochinese group, mild with soft floral notes and a small bit of acidity.
The Duncan mango is an Edward seedling and was selected by David Sturrock in West Palm Beach. It was named after Ralph Duncan of Boynton Beach, who had contributed to a book written by Sturrock. The Duncan to this day is a very popular fruit. These mangos are medium, sometimes large fruit with a sweet Indochinese flavor. This is one of the few Florida mangos
Factors Affecting Mango Production
Florida’s mango production is determined by the weather of the season and the hard work of dedicated growers.
Climate and soil quality are crucial elements that determine the success of a mango crop. The ideal conditions include warm temperatures, moderate rainfall, and humidity, as well as well-drained sandy loam soil.
South Florida’s mango growers have many challenges to overcome to provide consumers with mangoes consistently. Mango trees are also vulnerable to diseases and pests, such as anthracnose, powdery mildew, and low temperatures during bloom. Trees planted in light sand and limestone soils need periodic fertilization to ensure satisfactory growth and production of mangos.
Ideal Growing Conditions for Florida Mango Trees
Growing the perfect mango is an art that requires the right combination of sun, soil, and love. Mango trees in Florida flourish under full sun, moderate rainfall, and well-drained sandy loam soil.
These conditions, coupled with warm temperatures and high humidity, create the ideal environment for a healthy and productive mango tree.
To further enhance the growth and fruit production of mango trees, growers should also pay close attention to the specific needs of each variety. For instance, the Carrie mango thrives in USDA growing zones 9-11, and its average size at maturity ranges from 15-20 feet tall and 10-15 feet wide.
In general, a mango tree will grow best in South Florida, making mangoes an ideal choice for cultivation in a Miami-Dade County orchard.
With the right care and attention, Florida’s mango trees will continue to provide you with delicious tropical fruits for many seasons to come.
How to Enjoy Fresh Florida Mangoes
There’s nothing quite like the pleasure of eating a perfectly ripe, fresh Florida mango. To fully appreciate the variety of flavors and textures that these tropical gems have to offer, it’s essential to select the perfect mango, store it properly, and let it ripen to perfection.
But that’s just the beginning – the real fun begins when you get creative in the kitchen and explore the myriad of ways to enjoy these delicious fruits. From smoothies and salads to desserts and cocktails, there’s no end to the mouthwatering dishes you can create using fresh Florida mangos.
Read on to discover some tips and tricks for selecting, storing, and enjoying these succulent fruits to the fullest.
Selecting the Perfect Mango
Choosing the perfect mango is a sensory experience that involves more than just picking the prettiest fruit on the shelf. To find a mango that’s ripe and ready to eat, pay close attention to its color, texture, and aroma. Generally, flatter mangoes will be more fibrous and have less flesh. A full, plump, and round mango is a good indicator of quality fruit.
The mango should also give slightly when squeezed, signaling that it’s ripe and ready to be enjoyed. Finally, take a moment to smell the mango – a sweet aroma is a telltale sign that you’ve found the perfect fruit.
With these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to selecting the finest mangoes Florida has to offer.
Storing and Ripening Mangoes
Once you’ve selected the perfect mango, it’s important to store and ripen it properly to ensure the best taste and texture. Mangoes should be stored at room temperature until they are ripe, and if you’re eager to speed up the ripening process, you can place them in a paper bag at room temperature for approximately two days.
When your mango has reached its peak ripeness, the ripening process can be slowed down by moving it to the refrigerator for several days.
By mastering the art of storing and ripening mangoes, you’ll always eat Florida mangoes at their absolute peak freshness and ripeness.
Delicious Ways to Use Mangoes
The versatility of mangoes knows no bounds, and there’s a wealth of ways they can be eaten. From fresh mango salsa and mango smoothies to mango sticky rice and mango chutney, the possibilities are endless.
To make a refreshing mango smoothie, blend together a ripe mango, a banana, a cup of yogurt, and a cup of milk, adding a touch of honey and a pinch of cinnamon for an extra burst of flavor.
Or, if you’re in the mood for something savory, try making mango salsa by dicing a mango, red onion, jalapeno, and a handful of cilantro, then mixing the ingredients together and seasoning with salt, pepper, and lime juice.
In addition to being delicious, mangoes are a great source of vitamins A and C, as well as dietary fiber. They are also low in calories and fat, making them a healthy snack or addition to any meal.
The Impact of Mango Season on Florida’s Economy
Mango season in South Florida plays a significant role in the state’s economy, particularly in Miami-Dade County. With approximately 2,000 acres of mango trees, Florida’s mango industry provides jobs and income for local growers of tropical fruits and the businesses that sell and use them.
By supporting the local mango industry, we help ensure the sustainability of this delicious fruit and its positive impact on the community.
Mango season also presents an opportunity for local businesses to capitalize on the increased demand for mangos and mango-related products. By selling mangos and incorporating them into their offerings, businesses can benefit from their proximity to the groves of tropical fruit that are unique to Florida in the United States.
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s Mango Events
Florida’s mango season is a time of celebration, and what better place to honor the beloved fruit than at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden?
Every year during mango season, Fairchild Garden hosts its Mango Festival, a two-day extravaganza that pays tribute to mangos, featuring mango beer tasting, a mango Sunday brunch, and more. Held annually for nearly 30 years, this festival takes place in July and attracts mango enthusiasts from all over the world.
The Mango Brunch offers a delightful array of mango-inspired dishes, providing the perfect opportunity to eat the best mangoes available while celebrating Florida’s mango heritage.
Shop Tropical Fruit from the Fairchild Farm at our Online Store!
Preserving the Mango Harvest
While juicy, fresh mangos are available during the season, local mangos are generally unavailable in winter. For mango growers and aficionados alike, preserving the bountiful harvest after the summer is another way to get the most out of the crop. To ensure that the delicious taste of Florida mangos can be eaten during winter months, growers use various methods such as freezing, canning, and drying.
Freezing mangos involves washing, peeling, and cutting the fruit into cubes or slices, then placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freezing for 2-3 hours before transferring them to a freezer-safe container.
Canning mangos requires boiling the fruit in a pot, packing it into sterilized jars, and sealing the jars before processing them in a boiling water bath.
Drying mangos involves placing sliced mangos on a baking sheet in the oven at the lowest temperature setting for 4-6 hours until dry and leathery. By preserving the mango harvest, we ensure that the delightful taste of Florida mangos can be savored throughout the year, well into the winter months.
Supporting Local Growers of Tropical Fruit
Supporting local mango growers is a meaningful way to contribute to the sustainability of the industry and the well-being of the community.
By purchasing mangos directly from local growers or at farmers’ markets, we help stimulate the local economy and spread awareness about the benefits of buying local produce.
The economic benefits of supporting local mango growers extend beyond just the growers themselves – the entire community reaps the rewards. By fostering a thriving local mango industry, we create jobs, boost incomes, and contribute to the overall economic prosperity of Florida.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mangos
What months are best for mangoes?
For the freshest, most flavorful mangoes, May through October is the best time to enjoy mangos in their peak season!
Do mangoes grow year-round in Florida?
Mangoes are a Florida favorite, and even though they may not be available in winter and early spring, Floridians still get to enjoy them from May through October.
What is the sweetest mango in Florida?
Taste the sweetness of a Kent mango! Believed to be the sweetest mango in Florida, Kents are juicy and packed with flavor – they’re sure to tantalize your taste buds.
Enjoy the unique flavor of a Kent mango today! With their bright yellow-orange color and sweet aroma, Kents are sure to delight.