Mango Varieties: A Closer Look

There are many types of mangoes around the world, showing how adaptable and diverse this fruit is. Knowing about these varieties can help B2B buyers reach new markets and customers, giving you an advantage in the food business.

The Complexity of Mango Types

Mangoes are a fruit with many different types, with more than 1,000 varieties grown worldwide. Each type of mango has its own flavor, texture, and look, showing how diverse this fruit is. This variety offers a chance for food business owners and supply chain managers to meet different customer tastes and improve their supply chains.

Mango varieties are important not just because of their numbers but also because of their history and cultural meaning. Different areas value certain types of mangoes, using them in traditional meals and celebrations. This cultural connection can affect how people buy mangoes and what is in demand in the market.

By the way, did you know thata ¾ cup serving of mango provides 50% of your daily vitamin C needs, supporting immune function and skin health? Also, mangoes are rich in antioxidants like mangiferin, quercetin, and catechins, which help combat oxidative stress and may offer various health benefits.

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The Role of Hybrid Mangoes

Hybridization has been important in creating new types of mangoes. By carefully breeding mangoes, hybrids are made to improve traits like taste, size, and resistance to disease. This method helps ensure better quality and can lead to more fruit, which meets consumer needs and supports sustainable farming.

Mango varieties like Honey Gold and Keitt are popular hybrids. They are designed to handle longer shipping times, making them suitable for export markets. For businesses, using these hybrids can help them reach more customers and manage their stock better.

Important Mango Varieties

There are more than 1,000 types of mangoes grown around the world. Covering every single one of them is not doable, and not all of them are important for business. In this section, we will look at the most popular mango varieties that are widely traded.

1. Brooks: The Brooks mango originates from Florida. It has a moderate amount of fiber and a mild, sweet taste.
2. Lippens: Lippens is also a Florida mango variety known for its smooth texture and low fiber. It tastes good, but it is not grown widely and produces smaller fruits.
3. Amelie: Amélie is a type of mango from West Africa. It is often used to make dried mango, especially for organic and fair-trade products. This mango has a sweet and slightly tangy taste, and it dries well.
4. Alphonso: Often called the "king of mangoes," Alphonso is known for its sweet taste and bright yellow color. This type of mango comes from India and is very popular in markets around the world.
5. Tommy Atkins: Tommy Atkins is a strong mango variety with a long shelf life, making it great for export. It has a mild taste and a reddish-orange skin. Its durability helps it travel long distances, which is important for markets that need fruit to stay fresh longer.
6. Haden: The Haden mango comes from Florida. It is known for its nice smell and sweet taste. The skin is bright red and green, making it look attractive. This mango was one of the first types brought to the United States, so it has historical importance and is still popular in American stores.
7. Kent: This mango variety is popular for its juicy meat and low fiber. Kent mangoes are often used in smoothies and desserts because of their creamy texture. Their large size and sweet flavor make them a favorite in cooking, so they are used for more than just eating fresh.
8. Ataulfo: The Ataulfo mango, also called the "champagne mango," is small and sweet with a buttery texture. Its smooth, fiberless flesh makes it great for eating fresh. This Mexican variety has a honey-like taste and a bright yellow color. It is often sold as a top choice for people who care about health.

Mango Shapes and Cuts

When buying dried mango products, it’s important to know the cut or shape along with the variety. The mango variety affects the flavor, color, and fiber. However, the cut affects how easy it is to use, how it looks, and how it can be portioned. This is especially important for food makers, retailers, and private label brands.

Common Mango Shapes

• Slices: These are wide, flat pieces cut along the natural curve of a mango. They are common in snack packs.
• Strips: Long, narrow pieces, ideal for resealable snack bags or ingredient blends. Often used in trail mixes or as salad toppings.
• Chunks/Cubes: Diced mango pieces used in blends and snack bars.
• Cheeks: Whole halves of the mango without the seed, less common.
• Powder: Made from dried and ground mango, used in flavoring systems or drink mixes.
• Pulp/Puree: Not dried, but important in processed mango products (e.g. beverages, sauces, baby food).

The shape of the product usually depends on its purpose, like whether it’s for snacking or processing. It also depends on how moist it is, whether it's soft or chewy, and what customers like. When you source the product, make sure the shape matches the packaging, the price, and how it will be used.