Mangos are a seasonal fruit in Florida, offering a vibrant, sweet flavor distinct from the imported varieties available year-round. While the state’s subtropical climate is ideal for cultivation, the local harvest window is short and specific. Understanding when these fruits mature requires knowing the general calendar timing and how to physically assess an individual fruit’s readiness.
The General Peak Season for Florida Mangos
The mango season in Florida typically begins in late spring and continues into early fall. The harvest generally starts in late May or early June and can extend through September, sometimes reaching into October depending on weather conditions. This extended period is possible because different mango varieties ripen in succession throughout the summer.
The peak of the season, when the greatest volume of fruit is available, usually occurs around July. An abundant harvest relies on specific climatic conditions, including a warm, dry spring that encourages flowering and fruit set. High temperatures and humidity during the summer months then provide the energy needed for the fruit to mature on the tree.
Development from flowering to harvest typically takes between 100 to 150 days for most varieties. Fluctuations in rainfall or unseasonable cold snaps can affect this timeline, shifting the season earlier or later. However, the most intense availability of local mangos is concentrated between the summer months of June and August.
How to Identify a Ripe Mango
Determining if a mango is ready requires relying on sensory cues rather than visual ones, as color is often misleading. The most reliable physical test is checking the firmness of the fruit. A mango ready to consume will yield slightly when gentle pressure is applied, similar to the ripeness test for a peach or an avocado.
A fruit that feels rock-hard is underripe and requires several days to soften, while one that is overly soft or mushy is likely past its prime. Another strong indicator of maturity is the aroma, specifically at the stem end of the fruit. A ripe mango will emit a distinct, sweet, and fruity scent, signaling that the internal sugars have fully developed.
The vibrant red blush seen on varieties like ‘Tommy Atkins’ is a sun-exposure phenomenon and not a reliable sign of ripeness. Instead, look for the background color of the skin to change from a deeper green to a lighter green, yellow, or golden hue, depending on the cultivar. The ‘Keitt’ variety, for example, can remain almost entirely green when fully ripe, making firmness and smell the most accurate checks.
Regional and Varietal Timing Differences
The overall season length is shaped by the wide range of cultivars grown and the varying microclimates across the state. Southern Florida, particularly Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties, is the main commercial growing region due to its tropical conditions. This area typically sees the first harvest of early-season mangos, such as ‘Tommy Atkins’ and some ‘Haden’ varieties, beginning in May and early June.
The season progresses northward, meaning areas in Central Florida will see their local mangos ripen several weeks later. Different varieties mature in a staggered sequence, which extends the overall window for growers and consumers. The ‘Haden’ variety, for instance, peaks in the mid-season around June and July.
Varieties like ‘Keitt’ are known as late-season mangos, often becoming available starting in August and continuing through September. This natural succession of cultivars, from early to late, ensures that locally grown mangos are continuously available for several months.