Mangoes come in a variety of shapes and colors, from the popular green-red Tommy Atkins to golden Champagne mangoes with a lusciousness worthy of their name. No matter which one you choose, it’ll be a good one right now during peak mango season, when the tropical fruit is at its sweetest and juiciest.
We’re truly mango mad at FreshDirect, and come spring, you’ll find an array of fresh mango varietals that you simply won’t find at other grocers. We work with farms in south Asia, the Caribbean, and beyond to source some of the worlds’ most incredible examples. If you’ve ever spent time in a mango-growing region, you’ll know that the rest of the world is missing out on the most flavorful and delicious versions of this fruit. It truly is a passion of ours to bring that one-of-a-kind experience to you.
To give you a better idea of the breadth of mango types out there, we’ve rounded up the ones you’ll find on FreshDirect. Just keep in mind that many of them have a short season, so if you see a specialty variety, grab it fast while you can. All mangoes are great for making smoothies, desserts, salsas, slaws, and salads. But often, the best way to enjoy them is by slicing one up and delighting in its pure, fresh, honey-like taste.
Mangos on FreshDirect
CHAMPAGNE (AKA ATAULFO)
Champagne mangoes are small, delicately shaped mangoes with golden yellow skins, and velvety flesh that has almost no fibrous texture. Only available from February to July, their exceptionally sweet flavor should be savored while it can. FreshDirect sources champagne mangos from our partners at Ciruli Brothers, who pamper their fruits by letting nature take the lead during the growth cycle, then putting them in the ideal conditions as they make their way to you.
Tommy Atkins
Tommy Atkins mangos are the most popular variety in the US. These fruits are on the larger side and flaunt a distinctive reddish skin. On the inside, their flesh is firm and dense, with just enough fiber to give it some chewiness. That texture makes the Tommy Atkins ideal for chopping up and using in salads, salsas, and chutneys.
ALPHONSO
FreshDirect sources Alphonso mangoes from our friends at Savani Farm, a family-owned and operated plantation located on 150 acres close to India’s Gir National Park. The season for alphonso mangoes is short—just 6-8 weeks—starting in May. On the outside, Alphonsos have a pinkish blush, while inside, their saffron-colored flesh reveals itself to be buttery and exceptionally sweet, earning them the nickname “the king of mangos.” Among chefs, Alphonsos are often cited as a favorite.
KESAR (AKA ROYAL INDIAN SAFFRON)
While Alphonso mangos are called the “kings,” kesar mangos have become known as the queens. These petite fruits are impossibly sweet and creamy, with an aromatic, almost floral flavor profile that is quite unlike any other variety. Kesars also come to us from Savani Farms, where they arrive a little bit later in mango season. One bite and you’ll understand just how distinctive and delicious real Indian mangos can be.
Banganpalli
Rounding out our selection of Indian mangos from Savani Farms is this lesser known, but equally distinctive variety. Named for a town in Andhra Pradesh, these mangos are smooth and almost pudding-like with an exceptionally sweet, honey-like flavor. They’re so sweet, in fact, that the large pores on their green-to-golden skin often seeps out sugars, leaving dark spots. In India, this sweet skin is often consumed too, along with the flesh.
FRANCINE
Francines are a Haitian variety famous for their perfumed aroma, juiciness, and rich, spicy flavor. This skin that covers their signature “S”-shape shifts from green to bright yellow as it ripens. Inside, Francines are meltingly soft and juicy, with dense flesh that is perfect for cutting and cubing. Their season lasts from March to August.
MINGOLO
The Mingolo mango has gone from being almost unknown to one of the most demanded in recent years. These fruits from the Dominican Republic are sweet with green skin that ripens to a yellow color. Medium sized with just a small bit of fiber, they’re a must-try for lovers of tropical produce.
MANGO RECIPES
Although few things beat a ripe mango that’s sliced up and enjoyed in its unadulterated glory, mangos are an excellent addition to recipes both sweet and savory. Here are some of our favorites.