Mangoes are chief among the fruits that when in season bring about all sorts of thoughts, expressions, instructions, memories, arguments and discussions. These range from the best way to eat mangoes, when to pick them, how to set them to ripen, the best variety, what to look for when buying mangoes, and discerning, when eating, if the mango has been force-ripened. It is all part of the fun and love we have for this beloved fruit. It’s mango season!
If you have been reading me for a while, you will know that I myself participate in the expressions and discussions. It’s a yearly ritual, so indulge me. I think what I will say this year may make me lose some friends though. I guess that I am willing to test those friendships all because of mangoes. This is what you call mango-madness! (lol)
I like my ripe mangoes to be hard/firm. They must be hand-picked and bear no physical trauma. Let me elaborate on what I mean by physical trauma – there should be no soft spots when I caress the mango, running my thumb over it as I turn it in my hand, examining and studying it. There should be no visible outward bruising or blemish either.
The other day while in town (Bridgetown), I stopped at a stall that had some stunning looking mangoes. They were the most beautiful hue of yellow. They looked firm. I asked the vendor if I could select the ones I wanted and she responded affirmatively. Picking up the mangoes one at a time I ran my thumb around each mango, paying particular attention to the bottom part and the sides as those are the parts that would likely be soft from a fall if the mangoes were not hand-picked. All 4 of the mangoes I examined had soft spots. The vendor looked at me and asked me what I expected; all the mangoes will have a soft spot from falling when picked with the stick. I said I understood, thanked her for her patience and walked away. When I say I like hand-picked mangoes I don’t mean mangoes that got juk down from the tree with a stick and then picked up by hand. I mention this because the vendor said to me, “you asked if the mangoes were hand-picked, yes, I pick them up with my hand!”
Hand-picked, for me, means the mango was plucked with your own hands directly from the branch/bunch on the tree.
I smiled as I walked away recalling a similar type of encounter. Several years ago at the end of Saturday evening mass, parishioners were having a food sale to raise funds for an overseas trip. Apart from supporting the cause, I was excited because from my experience in Guyana at Sacred Heart Church, you could get some of the best baked treats and drinks and churches bake sales. There was mauby on sale so I went to get some. I asked the gentleman manning the stall if the mauby was homemade (most of the mauby sold here is made from a syrup). He said yes, dipping into the cooler to get me a bottle. Me with my excitement said in a knowing way that he must have done a last brew the night before etc. The man looked at me puzzled and said, “I mixed this up with the syrup this morning.” I frowned and said, but I thought you told me that it was homemade. A little irritated, he retorted, “Yes, I made it at home. I mix the syrup with the water”. I paid for the bottle of mauby and walked away mumbling to myself what I meant by homemade.
Go on. Laugh.
Anyway, getting back to the mangoes. I feel a bit ungrateful when friends with mango trees drop off mangoes for me. Why? Because I desperately want to ask if they were hand-picked but I don’t. Most of the time they aren’t. Nevertheless, I am thankful and grateful. With these mangoes, I puree the flesh to make things like drinks and cocktails, ice cream and sorbets, shakes and smoothies, salsa and salads. The ripe mangoes I eat I prefer them (as I have said), to be firm and hand-picked. You see why I say that I might lose some friends?
All is not lost though. This year, one of my mango-giving friends called to tell me that there are mangoes on the tree waiting for me to come and pick them. Ah, music to my ears. I have been warned to get there before the birds and green monkeys get them.
While we rave about ripe mangoes, it is also the season of pickling and preserving green mangoes. It is time to make and stock up on sour, achar, pickles (sweet and salt), pack and freeze cut green mangoes for curry.
Whatever you do and however you like your mangoes, enjoy to your heart’s delight! I’m gonna drive up to St Lucy to pick some mangoes.
Cynthia
