MetaChat - So, have you guys started eating the new mangoes yet?

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03 June 2007

So, have you guys started eating the new mangoes yet? →[More:]

The Indian wing of DHL even offers a courier service specifically for mangoes, although the United States has long been absent from its list of destinations because of its ban on Indian mangoes. But the ban should soon be lifted as part of a deal struck by President Bush on his March visit to the country, which will also give India easier access to nuclear technology. Quid pro quo, as far as many Indians are concerned. "The U.S. is looking forward to eating Indian mangoes," he said at a press conference, cheering up a local press that he had earlier disappointed by not seeming too well-versed about cricket and Bollywood, two other Indian passions.

post by: hadjiboy at: 07:12 | 19 comments

I'll look for the Indian mangoes. Good article. Mangoes are super juicy aren't they. I always have to eat them over the sink.

Bummer, there are no mangoes in my house. Last night I did buy some nectarines and peach-mango shower gel.

posted by LoriFLA 03 June | 09:29

Oooh, time to go shopping. I'm still working through the pounds and pounds of fruit I got at the farmer's market last week but I think I can squeeze a mango in.

Thanks for the heads up!

posted by Fuzzbean 03 June | 10:30

Mangos in the U.S. have never caught on like they have elsewhere, partly because the mangos that have been available here aren't particularly good. And it's a fruit that doesn't travel well, and has a short season. So, even if Indian mangos are manna from heaven, and free on the streets of Mumbai, by the time they are airfreighted to the U.S. (at current jet fuel prices), they're still going to be pricey exotics.

Personally, I'm mildly allergic to 'em, so I'd just as soon they stayed in India.

posted by paulsc 03 June | 10:33

mr. gaspode's favourite fish recipe.

posted by gaspode 03 June | 10:45

I eat a LOT of mangoes but I haven't noticed Indian ones for sale yet. I'll look next time I shop. Mostly we get Tommy Atkins and Manila ones.

Ooh- paulsc! According to that article, there are people allergic to avocados! That's terrible!

I know a few people who have reactions if mango touches their skin, especially the peels.

posted by small_ruminant 03 June | 11:16

There's a huge difference between "normal" mangoes and Indian ones. The Indian ones are OMFG amazing in ways that just can't be described; once you've had one you'll pretty much look upon the normal ones as "still tasty, but pretty average"

posted by TheDonF 03 June | 11:20

I just ate a mango, but I didn't look at its visa 1st. Mangoes are inconsistent in quality, or maybe I'm not ripening/storing them correctly. Today's mango was just okay for a mango, which means way better then any other food. Now I lust after Indian mangoes. It's good to have goals.

posted by theora55 03 June | 11:52

THANK YOU for reminding me!!

Oh man. I'm really in the mood for some mango lassi now... y'think DHL will ship me some of that? I don't feel like driving.

posted by CitrusFreak12 03 June | 12:49

Huh... I'm mildly allergic to mango, too.
According to the link from paulsc, I would fall into the pollen and latex group. (not allergic to latex... yet. But I am "sensitive" to it, so I avoid it when I can).
I am not, thank the good lord, allergic to avocados. Although I am to bananas, and my mother is to kiwi.

I'd never known anyone else who was, and my allergist never went into it. I just assumed I was an oddball. Huh.

posted by kellydamnit 03 June | 13:33

Alphonso!

posted by chrismear 03 June | 13:55

How does one tell an Indian mango from a non-Indian mango? I.e., when I'm shopping for one, how will I know one when I see one?

posted by treepour 03 June | 15:37

We get wonderful Kitt and Kent mangoes here in Florida, but Nick and I look forward to trying the Indian varieties as they become available. I'm not certain that shipping is going to do them any favors, the ones we prefer so far are grown in Florida,

posted by bilabial 03 June | 17:05

Yes, the honey mangoes went on sale this week here in the UK. treepour, if you are in the UK you will find boxes of mangoes for £3-£4 for 2kg. My local indian green grocer has two kinds, one which he is labelling 'Indian' and charging £7.99 for a box, not sure how big as I had already got some in the market in town.
They are currently battling the roses to scent the kitchen. Which is fine by me!

posted by asok 03 June | 17:17

I am waiting for the mangosteens. Hadjiboy, did you know that we cannot get fresh mangosteens legally, here in the USA? Their importation is strictly forbidden and the only place in the USA they would grow, Hawaii, has no mature trees.

posted by ikkyu2 04 June | 01:20

God, my coworkers whinge at great length about the lack of mangosteens here. You CAN get them in Hawaii, but not on the mainland. We're considering how to grow our own. (But it takes the trees about 15 years to produce any fruit.) I haven't had one ever, but I gather they're amazing.

posted by small_ruminant 04 June | 01:26

I, uh, almost got arrested for, uh, accidentally carrying two mangosteens across the Canadian border.

In any case, you can get them in Vancouver.

posted by mudpuppie 04 June | 01:30

No ikkyu2, I didn't know that. I didn't even know what a "mangosteen" was until I looked it up. Still not sure what it is though, but I'm sure it's good.
Sorry treepour, I haven't seen or tasted any of the variety of mangoes that you get over there, so I wouldn't be able to tell you how to differentiate them, but there are different varieties of mangoes from India itself. I'd suggest you go for the Alphonso (Haapus) one first.

posted by hadjiboy 04 June | 11:36

Oh man, the thought of being able to get Indian mangoes in the States is making me swoon. One of the most amazing experiences I had the year I lived in India was Alphonso season. It spoiled me for any other mangoes, and I haven't eaten one in thirteen years.

posted by Specklet 04 June | 17:23

Reporting in- Berkeley Bowl still has no Indian mangos. Further bulletins as the situation warrants.

posted by small_ruminant 04 June | 22:54

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