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Click here for a downloadable Varieties & Availability Handout

Varieties 

In your grocery store, you'll most likely find one of the six varieties described below. Each one has a unique flavor and texture, which makes mango tasting an adventure of new discoveries! Look for different varieties. Try mangos at different stages of ripeness and at different times of the year. You'll be glad you did.

Ataulfo 

Ataulfos have a very small seed, so there is a high flesh to seed ratio.

Flavor: Sweet, creamy flavor
Texture: Smooth, firm flesh with no fibers
Color: Vibrant yellow
Shape: Small, flattened oval shape
Ripening Cues: Skin turns to a deep golden color and small wrinkles appear when fully ripe. Squeeze gently to judge ripeness.
Peak Availability: March to July
Primary Source Country: Mexico

Francis

The Francis grows on small farms throughout Haiti.

Flavor: Rich, spicy and sweet flavors
Texture: Soft, juicy flesh with fibers
Color: Bright yellow skin with green overtones
Shape: Oblong and sigmoid S-shape
Ripening Cues: Green overtones diminish and the yellow becomes more golden as the Francis ripens. Squeeze gently to judge ripeness.
Peak Availability: May to July
Primary Source Country: Haiti

Haden

The fruiting of the Haden mango in 1910 inspired the creation of a large-scale mango industry in South Florida.  The industry has since then been greatly reduced by the impact of development and hurricanes.

Flavor: Rich in flavor, with aromatic overtones
Texture: Firm flesh due to fine fibers
Color: Bright red with green and yellow overtones and small white dots
Shape: Medium to large with an oval to round shape
Ripening Cues: Green areas of the mango turn to yellow as it ripens.
Squeeze gently to judge ripeness.
Peak Availability: April and May
Primary Source Country: Mexico

Keitt

Keitts are popular in Asian cultures, where they are enjoyed it in its mature-green stage or even as pickles.

Flavor: Sweet and fruity
Texture: Firm, juicy flesh with limited fibers
Color: Dark to medium green, sometimes with a pink blush over a small portion of the mango
Shape: Large oval shape
Ripening Cues: Skin stays green even when ripe. Squeeze gently to judge ripeness.
Peak Availability: August and September
Primary Source Countries: Mexico, United States

Kent

Originating from Florida in the 1940’s, Kents are ideal mangos for juicing and drying.

Flavor: Sweet and rich
Texture: Juicy and tender with limited fibers
Color: Dark green and often has a dark red blush over a small portion of the mango
Shape: Large oval shape
Ripening Cues:  Kents have yellow undertones or dots that cover more of the mango as it ripens. Squeeze gently to judge ripeness.
Peak Availability: January to March and June to August
Primary Source Countries: Mexico, Ecuador, Peru

Tommy Atkins

Hailing originally from Florida, Tommy Atkins is the most widely grown commercial
variety coming into the United States.

Flavor: Mildly sweet flavor
Texture: Firm flesh due to fibers throughout
Color: A dark red blush often covers much of the fruit with green and
orange-yellow accents
Shape: Medium to large with oval or oblong shape
Ripening Cues: This mango may not provide any visual cues.  Simply squeeze gently to judge ripeness.
Peak Availability: March to July and October to January
Primary Source Countries: Mexico, Guatemala, Brazil, Ecuador and Peru

Availability

Mangos are grown in tropical climates all over the world. The mangos we buy here in the U.S. come mostly from Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Guatemala and Haiti. Fortunately for us, these countries harvest their mango crops at different times of the year, which means we get to enjoy mangos all year round.

Availability by Variety

Availability by Country

The mango year has two seasons, one in the spring/summer and one in the fall/winter.  The two seasons overlap to provide a year-round supply.  Although close to 70% of the total mango volume is sent to the United States in the spring and summer, there is a distinct peak in both seasons.  For more information visit the Crop History & Forecast page.

Click here for a downloadable Varieties & Availability Handout