skip to main content

Florida Gardening

A different mango festival?

7 years ago

We got to South Beach Friday night, it was really busy! what a change from where we live.:) When talking to the workers at the hotel we told them that we were coming for the mango festival and they told us that in the area neighborhoods mangoes were given away because most owners did not like them and they were free for the picking and they knew the bad varieties from the good ones and of course they only pick the best! lol. We decline all the offers even later on from other workers that had mango trees in their yards. We told them that we were going to pick different varieties at Fairchild and that was the fun. We were in for a surprise next day!

South Beach at night

Next day getting ready to go to the gardens

When we got to the gardens, first thing we did was going to buy the different varieties from the Fairchild booth and to our surprise it was gone! and instead they had vendors selling boxes from just a single variety and could not be mixed, the fun was gone! We ended up buying some boxes but it is not the same, I wonder why they did that and if the next years are going to be like that also.

This is what we bought

After that we went and sample the varieties for the show and another surprise I did not see or try the mangoes from Cuba. We had a good time anyway because we were some of the first to go and leave, very hot! and the lines for the tastings were long....

Silvia

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

sultry_jasmine_nights (Florida-9a-ish)
7 years ago
Sounds like you had fun! Do you remember the names of any of the varieties that you liked?
0
whgille thanked sultry_jasmine_nights (Florida-9a-ish)
writersblock (9b/10a)
7 years ago
Yes, I've heard from several other people that they were very disappointed this year, Silvia, especially at the small number of varieties available for sampling.
0
whgille thanked writersblock (9b/10a)
Related Discussions
Observation: Mango Seedling Differences
Q
Comments (6)
Mike....your theory would be true if the odds of getting better/same/worse were all the same. Remember, the commercial and other selected cultivars are selected from thousands of seedling plantings across the globe. The odds of getting a better, or even an "as good" mango from a seedling is not 2/3. It might be more like 1/1000. Remember, you have to think like a mango. In the scheme of genetic combinations and permutations mangoes change over generations to a way to adjust to potential changes in environment to allow for the survival of the species. Where does delicious flavor and fiberlessness rank as compared to cold tolerance, salt tolerance, drought tolerance....et, etc, etc. That is the question. Of course, a wise man once answered this question with an interesting reponse. He said.....well, if the mango is delicious and fiberless, men that would eat it might be more inclined to plant the seed and thus perpetuate the species. That was an interesting thought but is somewhat wishful thinking in my view. That having been said, has that prevented me from growing and fruiting seedlings? No.....but I am a foolish fruit tree grower not all that much thinking realistically. You are more than welcome on my unrealistic band wagon. There's lots of room. Happy growing and best of luck with your seedling fruit results. Harry
...See More
anyone going to the mango festival on sunday july 12th?
Q
Comments (11)
Still can't decide on what tree to get at this years Mango festival. I was going to get a Fairchild Mango tree but recently got one at PIN. I'm now leaning towards getting a Manilita or a Jean Ellen tree. They both sound pretty good and I like they are early and that the trees stay small. Does anyone have a preference or info on either type? I dont know what rootstock they use for the trees they sell at the festival but the Angie tree I bought last year is on its 4rd growth cycle since this spring and looks just great, very nice full branch structure. I'm very impressed with its health and overall vigor so far.
...See More
Fairchild Mango Festival 2010
Q
Comments (60)
Here's the photo journal of my next tasting. Yum! This is so fun! This time the contenders are: Herman, Nam Doc Mai, Champagne, Fairchild, Florida Red, Choc Anon, Tahar, Ott, Edward and for an interesting comparison the first Georgia peach of the season. My ratings are: 1. Edward, 2. Florida Red, 3. Champagne, 4. Georgia Peach, 5. Choc Anon, 6. Fairchild, 7. Ott, 8. Herman, 9. Tahar, 10. Nam Doc Mai My husbands ratings were the same, except he had a tie for first place: the Edward & the Georgia Peach. Edward - not quite as perfectly ripened as the last one, but still excellent. Florida Red - This one was I think about 1 day past perfect ripeness. But it was very juicy, melting and very sweet. Smooth and very flavorful. Champagne - A little more tart that is characteristic, but still very good. Georgia Peach - First of the season, so not yet of perfect ripeness. It had good full flavor, with a pronounced floral note. Both sweet and tart, more tart than a perfectly ripened fruit would be. Choc Anon - I think these were picked too soon, they started wrinkling before getting soft. Still very tasty. Flesh was firm with no fiber. It was tangy, coconutty and had a slight pineapple taste. Apparently forgot to take a pic of the inside of this one. Fairchild - This one ripened most perfectly of the 3 fairchilds I bought. It was firm and buttery to cut through, but the flesh to pit ratio is pretty poor, and this was the largest fairchild of the 3. It was mild flavored, and pleasant with a slight pine flavor near the skin (which was not bad tasting). I am however a bit underwhelmed by the fairchilds overall. They are good, but I expected from descriptions for them to be outstanding. How do others feel about them? Maybe I got less than optimal fruits? Ott - This had firm flesh and was sweet and mild. The flavor was smooth and simple. It was in fact almost indistinguishable from the Fairchild. Herman - This one got a bit overripe - there was some spoilage by the pit. It had a medium amount of fiber. It was flavorful and sweet, but had an earthy undertone I didn't like. Although that could have been due to the overripeness. Tahar - This one also was a bit overripe. It was a bit stringy with a coconutty flavor. Nam Doc Mai - Once again, this one rated last. This fruit was slightly better than the last one. The flesh is so silky smooth, I really wanted it to taste awesome. It was slightly sweeter than the last one I tried but still had an off earthy undertone to it that I didn't like. Forgot to take an inside picture of this one too.
...See More
mango festival updates and pics please
Q
Comments (10)
Hi Tammy, I went to the Mango Mania in Cape Coral(near Pine Island, FL) same weekend as the one Lisa went to in Miami. Like she said the weather was just unbearable, it was so hot and humid and we were there at 10 am! Only stayed for an hour or so, couldn't take the extreme heat/humidity!! The small section of mango tasting was very disappointing, only had a very few to taste, as some mangoes were already done ripening, I didn't even taste any, it was all pureed,looked awful,lol... This one sounds like a lot smaller scale than Fairchild's, only had a couple of vendors that sold Mangoes, and one wanted $2 each! It was a little expensive to say the least. Although I went on Sunday(last day), so I'm not sure if they had more vendors on Saturday? Only bought a few, the varieties that were available were mostly Carrie, Kent and Keitt! They had a lot of vendors selling other products and a few trees were being sold. I didn't buy any more trees, as I already have too many to protect from the freeze,lol... Here's some Pics...from the Mango Mania
...See More
whgille
Original Author
7 years ago
Sultry, since they are the experts they put some of the good varieties for tasting, in my opinion they were all tasty but some I like less than others for example the Cogshall and a variety green when ripe but because we are all different my other half liked the variety green when ripe and he said I don't really like a little bit sour tasting but I liked that one. I was happy to see the size of the fruit, the colors and flavor for some of the varieties like the early ones that I am most interested in and have them in my garden like Rosigold, also saw the Fairchild mango that I am supposed to have and had my doubts because mine is a larger fruit but after seen the fruit again and sampling, I think I have the same variety after all.

I did find out my favorite this year (next year maybe different:) it was one of the mangoes from the vendor, he said it was his first time doing the show and he was expensive, all his mangoes were imported from India and Pakistan and had no labels but I was able to try them and I liked the small one, it was delicious! and reminded me a mango that I use to like as a child. I do like a lot of mango varieties that have a pure mango flavor and don't like too much the ones with coconut or other flavors in them.

Writersblock, I think the varieties to sample were kind of the same like other years, the big difference was in the mangoes for sale at the Fairchild booth, they used to sell a lot of fruit and with the names on them, so it was easy to remember which ones you like them or not. I could pick all different varieties in one box, this year it was very different to deal with the vendors.

Some more pictures from the festival....

Varieties for tasting

Mangoes for the auction

It was so hot that we hit the beach after the mango festival

Sultry, are you growing yerba buena? it is the real thing for mojitos.:)

Silvia
0
whgille
Original Author
7 years ago
I just made the best mango dish ever with the mangoes that I bought 2 for a $1, I am going to beat myself up for not buying more of those,lol. I got it from one of the ladies selling food and she did not know the name and I did not know how they tasted, she was also selling some so big and round they look like melons! did not get those...

Here is one of the mangoes and the dish that I made for lunch, it had all the flavors in the palate spectrum, sweet, salty, spicy, sour and everything else that I can think of.:)

Silvia

Related Stories

CHRISTMAS 10 Easy Decorating Ideas for a Festive Entryway

By Laura Gaskill

'Tis the season for welcoming guests with wreaths, special lighting and plenty of comfy seating

HOLIDAYS Have a Festive, Sun-Drenched White Christmas

By RedAgape Blog

If you live in a warm climate, you can still celebrate the holiday with dazzling decor. Here are 6 ways to make things merry and bright

EVENTS A Film Festival Explores Buildings and the Lives They Touch

Sneak a peek at 5 selections from the annual Architecture & Design Film Festival — playing in New York, L.A. and Chicago

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Queensland Newlyweds Put Their Festive Feet Forward

By Tamara Armstrong

An Australian couple’s mountain home reflects their contrasting styles and special occasions

ORANGE Mango: Orange for the Rest of Us

By Lisa Frederick

On the fence about decorating with orange? Ease into it with mango, a gentler tone that makes rooms no less striking

COLOR Color of the Week: Mango

By Jennifer Ott Design

Use a bit of bold, fun, summery orange on bedroom accent walls, kitchen cabinetry and more

HOLIDAYS Houzz Call: Show Us Your Festive Holiday Tablescape

By Stacy Briscoe

What makes your table festive for the holiday season? Post photos of your decked-out table

EVENTS Preview Some Captivating Art in This Year’s London Design Festival

By Stacy Briscoe

The Victoria and Albert Museum’s LDF exhibits are about reflection, wearable art, tiny insects and lots of Swarovski crystals

HOLIDAYS Naturally Festive: An Organic Approach to Holiday Decorating

Give your home a look of pure comfort and joy this season with natural materials in a neutral palette

DECORATING GUIDES Set Your Table for a Festive Dinner Party

By Melissa Alvarado Sierra

A beautiful table creates the perfect setting for a memorable dining party

Sponsored

More Discussions

Diagnosing problems with firespike in Sarasota

5

2024 January : upload your photos of first blooms of season

19

Rats in the garden ID?

6

Greening Satsuma

2

Leaving my final garden

5