Mangoes, celebrated for their sweet, juicy taste and fragrant aroma, are among the most cherished tropical fruits worldwide. A staple in many cultures, their versatility and refreshing qualities contribute to their global appeal, highlighting a rich diversity extending far beyond what is commonly seen in local markets.
The Sheer Diversity of Mangoes
The exact number of mango types is not fixed, as new varieties are continuously developed and regional distinctions abound. Hundreds, if not thousands, of known cultivated varieties exist globally. While other Mangifera species produce edible fruits, the vast majority of commercial mangoes belong to Mangifera indica. This species originated in the region between northwestern Myanmar, Bangladesh, and northeastern India, where it has been cultivated for centuries. This extensive history has led to an incredible array of mangoes, each with unique characteristics.
Popular and Distinct Mango Varieties
Several mango varieties are widely popular due to their distinct characteristics. The Alphonso mango, often called the “king of mangoes,” originates from India. It is prized for its rich, creamy, and tender texture with delicate, non-fibrous pulp, golden-yellow skin with a red tinge when ripe, and sweet, musky aroma.
The Kent mango, developed in Florida, has sweet, juicy, fiberless orange flesh, making it ideal for fresh consumption and juicing. It is typically oval-shaped with green-yellow skin that may develop a red blush. The Tommy Atkins is another commercially significant variety, recognized for its vibrant green, red, and yellow skin, excellent shelf life, and transport tolerance, making it widely available. Its flesh is firm and mildly sweet, with some fibrous content.
The Ataulfo mango, also marketed as Honey or Champagne mango, is a small, golden-yellow fruit from Mexico with a distinct S-shape. It is known for its exceptionally sweet, non-fibrous, buttery flesh and thin pit, offering hints of peach and floral undertones. The Haden mango, originating in Florida, is a parent to many modern varieties. It is admired for its rich, sweet flavor and firm, juicy flesh, often displaying vibrant red and yellow skin. While mostly fiber-free, some Haden mangoes can have moderate fiber near the seed. The Manila mango, also known as Carabao or Philippine mango, is a very sweet variety with a buttery, fiberless texture and a distinct yellow color, primarily grown in Mexico and the Philippines.
Distinguishing Mango Varieties
Distinguishing mango varieties involves assessing morphological and sensory attributes. Fruit morphology includes size, shape (e.g., oval, round, S-shaped), and the presence or absence of a “beak” or pointed end. Skin characteristics, such as color changes during ripening (from green to yellow, orange, or red blushes) and skin thickness, provide important clues. For instance, some varieties retain a green hue even when ripe, like the Keitt.
Flesh attributes also differentiate varieties, encompassing flesh color (pale yellow to deep orange), texture (creamy, firm, or soft), and fiber content. Flavor profiles vary widely, from intensely sweet to subtly tart, sometimes with undertones described as peachy, citrusy, spicy, or pine-like. These characteristics are shaped by the mango’s genetic makeup and environmental conditions.
Cultivation and Classification of Mangoes
New mango varieties typically emerge through selective breeding, natural mutations, or hybridization efforts. Many commercially successful varieties are propagated vegetatively, primarily through grafting, to maintain desirable traits across generations. Growing mangoes from seed often leads to genetic variations, meaning the resulting fruit may not be identical to the parent. Hybridization programs actively cross different mango types to develop new cultivars with improved characteristics such as disease resistance, yield, or specific fruit qualities like flavor or shelf life.
Mangoes are classified into two main groups based on historical origins and genetic traits: the “Indian type” and the “Indochinese” or “Southeast Asian type.” Indian-type mangoes, such as Alphonso, are monoembryonic, meaning their seeds produce a single plant that is a genetic hybrid of both parent trees. In contrast, Southeast Asian-type mangoes, like Ataulfo and Carabao, are polyembryonic, producing multiple seedlings from a single seed, some of which are clones of the mother plant. This classification helps understand the diverse genetic lineages contributing to the global array of mango varieties.