FLORIDA MANGO TASTINGS 2020: Duncan, Honey Kiss, Orange Essence

In this episode of Florida mango tastings we are tasting Florida born and raised mangoes:) These mango varieties are seedling mangoes of popular Florida varieties Edward, Keitt and Kent. We are tasting Duncan mango, Honey Kiss mango which we purchased from Walter Zill's home mango garden in Delray Beach, FL and Orange Essence mango which we purchased from Zill high performance plants nursery in Boynton Beach, FL. Disclaimer: We all know that different mango varieties have different flavors; some have a classic mango taste, some have citrusy sweetness, some - tones of peach, pineapple, guava; some a cocktail of many tropical fruits and some have floral smell and flavor tones, so they cannot compete or be compared. Nor can they be given points like 1-10, as taste is very personal and subjective, varies from person to person and culture to culture. Also, the same mango variety grown in different parts of Florida will taste different depending on changes in microclimate, annual rainfall, soil health, mineral and salt content, fertigation regimen (irrigation+fertilization), etc. Lastly, mango picked early / not fully mature vs picked at the peak maturity changes how they ripen off of tree; often mangoes picked green, hard & immature eventually change color and look nice but will not get optimal sweetness (brix) or the complexity of flavor that makes mango such a unique and tasty fruit. Don’t make assumptions about a variety based on your tasting of a mediocre tasting fruit! Try fruit from different places, different microclimates at different stages of ripeness. Music credit: Fredji - Happy Life (Vlog No Copyright Music)