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India's Alphonso mangoes are virtually impossible to find in America (2018)

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Re: India's Alphonso mangoes are virtually impossible to find in America (2018)

#31

Post by xarope »

givemeethekeys wrote: post #22

Unrelated, but if you're going to go the deep end on Indian, and other Asian fruits, I recommend also trying: - Rambutan (similar to lychees) - Custard apple (haven't seen it, but I've heard it can be found) - Vietnamese Durian (tastes like a milkshake, and I couldn't smell the stinky smell..) - Guava (they're not very sweet but are very flavorful) - Sapota (aka Chiku) - the best fruit milkshakes I've had were chiku…

I'll add, dragonfruit. The typical purple one has a very mild taste (exceedingly mild to the point of tastelessness), but the yellow ones are really sweet.

Re: India's Alphonso mangoes are virtually impossible to find in America (2018)

#32

Post by xarope »

Kaijo wrote: post #28
givemeethekeys wrote: post #22

Unrelated, but if you're going to go the deep end on Indian, and other Asian fruits, I recommend also trying: - Rambutan (similar to lychees) - Custard apple (haven't seen it, but I've heard it can be found) - Vietnamese Durian (tastes like a milkshake, and I couldn't smell the stinky smell..) - Guava (they're not very sweet but are very flavorful) - Sapota (aka Chiku) - the best fruit milkshakes I've had were chiku…

These are all common, obvious fruits, several of which are not even from Asia originally. I feel someone speaking from "the deep end" would have more esoteric recommendations but also very strong preferences about what particular cultivars to seek out -- in each case, but especially for durian, where it's almost like each of its hundreds of named varieties can have its own cult following -- when and where to get them…

OMG, durian, it's like a entire cult following, golden phoenix, sultan (d24), black gold, mountain cat, red prawn, black pearl, king of kings...

Speaking of cult following, I once tried a durian that tasted rotten, so I warned my friends accordingly, one who promptly grabbed them and started smacking their lips, going "this is the good stuff". Found out it was the XO variant, which is supposed to taste like it's fermented. Who would've thunk.

Re: India's Alphonso mangoes are virtually impossible to find in America (2018)

#33

Post by jfk13 »

icemelt8 wrote: post #14

Everytime I read about these mangoes as king I get frustrated, as the world hasn't tasted Pakistani mangoes, if possible find Sindri or Chaunsa mango from Pakistan from your local market, those are completely next level.

Yes! To me, Sindhri is in a class of its own. No mango I had in India could ever match the Queen of Mangoes from Mirpurkhas at the height of the season.

Re: India's Alphonso mangoes are virtually impossible to find in America (2018)

#35

Post by jitendrac »

kashif wrote: post #20
Sai_ wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think Sindri and Chaunsa are also available in India (Indian here) but I personally think Alphonsos are much richer in taste and texture. Ymmv. Edit - maybe I’m biased because Alphonsos are pricier so the palate thinks it’s getting something better much like pricey wine vs cheap wine which are basically the same but are perceived differently.

The best mango is Langda - end of discussion.

I like the Kesar best. I am from South-Gujarat where Kesar, Alphonso(Hafus/afus) and Langda are easily available in local market. I will always choose kesar regardless the price.

Re: India's Alphonso mangoes are virtually impossible to find in America (2018)

#36

Post by jimsimmons »

pkphilip wrote: post #23

Right now I have a huge selection of Alphonsos lying on a bed of hay as it is being naturally ripened along with Malgova mangoes. I will be getting Imam Pasand in a couple of days. For those in the know, Imam Pasand is considered even better than Alphonsos - especially those sourced from a specific part of Tamil Nadu in India. NOTE: I work with natural and organic farmers in India to try and find a market for their p…

This. It’s like people in the west have never eaten real mangoes and only know of it via artificial flavour.

I’ll also mention Raspuri which is my favourite kind. As the name suggests it’s very juicy

Re: India's Alphonso mangoes are virtually impossible to find in America (2018)

#37

Post by jimsimmons »

jitendrac wrote: post #35
kashif wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The best mango is Langda - end of discussion.

I like the Kesar best. I am from South-Gujarat where Kesar, Alphonso(Hafus/afus) and Langda are easily available in local market. I will always choose kesar regardless the price.

Badami is highest quality followed by Raspuri imo. Former for milkshakes and later for raw eating. Everything else is noise ;)

Re: India's Alphonso mangoes are virtually impossible to find in America (2018)

#38

Post by frou_dh »

brailsafe wrote: post #19
squokko wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Also worth stating that it isn't really any less bad for you than a dessert given how much sugar is in it.

Isn't that a fairly narrow definition of what makes food bad?

One Weird Trick -based nutrition (Doctors Hate Him)

Re: India's Alphonso mangoes are virtually impossible to find in America (2018)

#39

Post by schrectacular »

givemeethekeys wrote: post #22

Unrelated, but if you're going to go the deep end on Indian, and other Asian fruits, I recommend also trying: - Rambutan (similar to lychees) - Custard apple (haven't seen it, but I've heard it can be found) - Vietnamese Durian (tastes like a milkshake, and I couldn't smell the stinky smell..) - Guava (they're not very sweet but are very flavorful) - Sapota (aka Chiku) - the best fruit milkshakes I've had were chiku…

My absolute favorite was not on your list: mangosteen! Available in the US at some Asian groceries but so expensive that I usually can't stomach it.
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