As we come to the end of the North Queensland season there are all sorts of options over the next month or so with different mangoes. In fact, there will be small numbers of KPs from areas as diverse as Northern NSW, Western Australia, some from the grape growing areas down south and remarkably even a few from the Sydney basin... there is a guy out near Liverpool with a few acres and a reasonable farm out at Wisemans ferry. These farmers get really good fruit when the weather conditions are favourable and other years may get little or even no fruit. This week we have two different varieties that in my view are every bit as good as KPs.
First we have really good numbers of Queensland Honeygolds. This mango is a hybrid variety developed in Central Queensland and are large highly coloured fruit that matures after the KPs. Great to eat being picked fresh and shipped immediately I can thoroughly recommend this fruit.
The other mango grown exclusively for Harris Farm is called the Silky. Again from central Queensland, also a hybrid having been grafted from an old KP orchard. A new variety, we will have these from this weekend, but not in all stores at all times. A smaller mango than the Honeygold and every bit as good to eat, my prediction is we will see a lot more of these over the coming years. So the next 10 days or so we will still have fantastic mangoes at Harris Farm.
A serve of a ripe mango provides you with up to three times your recommended intake of Vitamin A & C, they are high in beta-carotene and a rich source of fibre and potassium.
HOW TO PICK
Generally, the best way to buy a mango is to simply use your nose. A ripe fresh mango should have a fragrant tropical fruity aroma, a full colour and will give slightly to the touch, but stay away from very soft or bruised fruit.
HOW TO STORE
When stored properly a mango should have a shelf life of about a week. A mango will not ripen in the refrigerator mangoes should not be refrigerated until they are ripe. Fully ripe mangoes can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days. Never store mangoes in plastic bags - mangoes need air.
