It’s hard to believe that mangoes aren’t native to Mexico. Mangoes were introduced in the 1700’s and it is hard to imagine life here without them. You can find them in drinks, salsas, salads, as a side to meat and fish dishes, sliced up or just peeled, speared with a stick and eaten like a popsicle! There is no denying that the flavor combination of mango, chile, lime and salt is iconically Mexican.

Mango season starts here in April but peaks at the end of May and into June. There are plenty of varieties so the season runs throughout the summer with the residents taking advantage of all the different types as they appear.Here are just a few of our favorite mango varieties you can find here in Carrillo:

• Ataulfo – this small golden yellow variety is sweet and creamy. Its firm texture has almost no fibers. When they are perfectly ripe the skins tend to get a little wrinkly, not the prettiest mango but definitely up there with our favorites for taste!

• Manila – sometimes known locally as “pico de loro” due to its shape looking like a parrot’s beak this is another small variety perfect for a quick snack. This mango is light yellow and has a distinct kidney shape with a point at one end. More acidic than the Ataulfo but it makes up for it in juiciness and its melt-in-the-mouth soft texture.

• Tommy/Tomi – mild and sweet, this mango has a firm texture and fibers throughout. You can recognize it by its medium to large size and red skin with green and orange accents.

• Manglova – very sweet and  juicy with a large round shape. Grown locally, this type of mango can be a mix of green, red, orange, yellow or even purple.

Do you love mangoes as much as we do?

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The best way to experience the Mexican lifestyle is in person, with a Na’atik Immersion experience. Not only do you live with a local Mexican-Maya family, sharing home-cooked meals and free time, but also receive expert instruction in your chosen language at our school. Best of all, every immersion experience helps fund our subsidized and free local education program, helping local students to access opportunities and make their own futures.