Updated 3rd June 2022
Yes, mango fever is here, stalls decorated with baskets of green and orange, red-blushed, and almost tan fruit in varieties from Cotonou to Ogbomosho.
For a long time, I paid no heed to the varieties of mangoes in fruit stalls and on the streets for I’ve only ever liked one variety of mangoes – ‘Normal mango’ according to the sellers on the streets. Also known as Ogbomosho, Calabar / Kwaba, Enugu and Abuja mangoes. I’m sorry if I can’t get the proper name for you…bear with me. It is a journey.
I’ve come across eight or so varieties of mangoes this season and those past.
Apparently, we have over ten (10) cultivars of le mangue in Nigeria.
First step, identify cultivars
Second step, carry out a taste test
Third step, identify which variety is best for eating, cooking, juicing et al
So fascinating and easy to see why people have favourites – both in taste and manner of eating. I shall not prescribe 🙂
Some favour firm, sweet and ripe.
Some like it at room temperature, some like it cold. Refrigerated.
Some like it cut up. Some like to eat it by hand.
Some like it in salads. Others in drinks. Even more in everything from custard to cake.
Which ever you like, here’s a quick guide to the varieties I’ve come across:
Cotonou Mango
Skin Colour: Green, with a little red blush
Flesh Colour: Pale lemon Yellow
Shape & Size: Large, ellipse-shaped
Flavor: Fresh and sour. Tastes like pineapple when ripe 😐
Texture: firm, not fibrous
Ripening Cues: Softens with pressure, no visible colour change
Peak Availability: March – April
Available in other countries: ??? Similar to the Bombay
Great for: Asian-style, unripe mango salads
Opioro
Skin Colour: Green
Flesh Colour: Yellow
Shape & Size: Long & large
Flavor: Fresh and sour
Texture: firm, not fibrous
Ripening Cues: Softens with pressure, no visible colour change
Peak Availability: February/ March
Available in other countries: ???
Great for: Asian-style, unripe mango salads
Benue Mangoes
Skin Colour: Green, with a little yellow; Red with yellow – a few varieties characterised by their size
Flesh Colour: Pale yellow – light orange
Shape & Size: Large – some are as big as melons
Flavor: Fresh and sour
Texture: Firm, not fibrous
Ripening Cues: Softens with pressure, skin colour lightens with a touch of yellow
Peak Availability: April?
Available in other countries: Similar to the Guinea Mango???
Great for: Asian-style, unripe mango salads
Normal (Ogbomosho/ Enugu (Eastern)/ Calabar/ Abuja/ Yellow) Mangoes
Skin Colour: Bright yellow skin with orange and red blush
Flesh Colour: Yellow
Shape: Oblong
Flavor: Sweet with a hint of spice
Texture: Varies from firm to soft and juicy; fibrous flesh
Ripening Cues: Green overtones diminish and the yellow becomes more golden as the Francis ripens. Squeeze gently to judge ripeness.
Peak Availability: February to –
Available in other countries: ???
Great for: Sweet and savoury preparations and puree, but you have to pass through a sieve to get rid of the fibres
Sheri Mango
Other names: Cherie, Sherry, Cherry. Believed to be the same as the most beloved Alphonso mango of India, of which love letters and gifts to kings have been made.
Skin Colour: Green
Flesh Colour: dark yellow – orange;
Shape: ellipse-shaped
Flavor: Sweet, rich and spicy, with aftertaste of ‘turpentine/kerosene’
Texture: Firm flesh, holds shape when cut
Ripening Cues: Green overtones diminish and yellow becomes dominant
Peak Availability: February to –
Available in other countries: ???
Great for: Sweet and savoury preparations and puree, but you have to pass through a sieve to get rid of the fibres
Julie Mango
Skin Colour: Green
Flesh Colour: dark yellow – orange
Shape: Ovate and flat
Flavor: Rich
Texture: Juicy flesh
Ripening Cues: Touch of yellow at the base
Peak Availability: February to
Available in other countries: ???
Best for: ???
Peter / Jane/ Binta Sugar (?) Mangoes
Skin Colour: Green
Flesh Colour: Orange
Shape & Size: Large
Flavor: Sour unripe? Sweet, like sugar some say when ripe?
Texture: Firm
Ripening Cues: Yellow/ Red blush
Peak Availability: March – April?
Available in other countries: ???
Great for: Asian-style, unripe mango salads
Photo above, from top to bottom: Peter, Enugu, German Mango/ Opioro
Photo below, green ones are Peter mangoes. Not sure what the red ones are
Kerosene Mango?
Skin Colour: Pale peach
Flesh Colour: Yellow – Orange
Shape: ellipse-shaped
Flavor: Aftertaste of turpentine/ kerosene
Texture: Varies from firm to soft and juicy; fibrous flesh
Ripening Cues: Green overtones diminish and peachy-tan colour prevails
Peak Availability: February to ?
Available in other countries: ???
So, ladies and gentlemen, here are eight (8) varieties of Mangoes I’ve encountered so far.
If you know of any others and have photos, please share. If you have updates on the names and flavours and anything else, let me know. Merci…
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