Continued from last week…
I paid no attention to the varieties of mango on the streets. I’ve only liked one variety of mangoes-‘Normal mango’ according to the sellers on the streets. It’s also known as Ogbomosho, Calabar / Kwaba, Enugu and Abuja mangoes. I’ve come across different varieties of mango in Nigeria but there are eight types which is regular each season. It’s important and easy to see why people have favourites both in taste and manner of eating the dupe fruit. Most people favour firm, sweet and ripe ones like me. While some like it at room temperature, some cold or refrigerated. Some like it cut up or eaten by hand. Whichever way, you can enjoy your mango in salads, drinks, custard or cake.
BENUE MANGO
Its skin colour is green, with a little yellow and red. Flesh colour is pale yellow/light orange while the shape or size is large and some are as big as melons. The texture is firm, not fibrous.
COTONOU MANGO
Its skin colour is green, with a little red blush. Flesh colour is pale lemon yellow. While the shape or size is large, ellipse-shaped. Tastes like pineapple when ripe. The texture is firm, not fibrous.
GERMAN MANGO/ OPIORO
Its skin colour is green. Flesh colour is yellow while the shape or size is long and large. The texture is firm, not fibrous.
JULIE MANGO
Its skin colour is green. Flesh colour is dark yellow – orange while the shape or size is ovate and flat. The texture is juicy flesh.
KEROSENE MANGO
Its skin colour is pale peach. Flesh colour is yellow – Orange, while the shape or size is ellipse-shaped. It has aftertaste of turpentine/ kerosene taste. The texture varies from firm to soft and juicy; fibrous flesh
NORMAL MANGO (Ogbomosho/ Enugu (Eastern)/ Calabar/ Abuja/ Yellow).
Its skin colour is bright yellow skin with orange and red blush. Flesh colour is yellow while the shape or size is oblong. Taste sweet with a hint of spice. The texture varies from firm to soft and juicy; fibrous flesh.
PETER / JANE/ BINTA SUGAR MANGO
Its skin colour is green. Flesh colour is orange while the shape or size is large. It taste sour when unripe and sweet, like sugar some say when ripe. The texture is firm.
SHERI MANGO
Other names for this dupe fruit is Cherie, Sherry, Cherry and its believed to be the same as the most beloved Alphonso mango of India, of which love letters and gifts to kings have been made. Its skin colour is green. Flesh colour is dark yellow – orange; while the shape or size is ellipse-shaped. Taste sweet, rich and spicy, with aftertaste of ‘turpentine/kerosene’. The texture is firm flesh, holds shape when cut
NOTE: Here are eight (8) varieties of Mangoes I’ve encountered so far. If you know of any other and have photos, please share. If you have updates on the names and flavours and anything else, let me know.
NEXT WEEK: DO YOU KNOW WHY YOU NEED A MANGO EVERY DAY? (3)
To be continued next week… Don’t forget to like and follow me on all social media platforms.
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