Let’s be honest: it’s hard to imagine the produce aisle without mangoes. These tropical treats usually travel halfway across the globe before they reach your kitchen counter, but have you ever wondered how we can buy them fresh all year round? Here is the scoop on how that works.
Where Do Mangoes Actually Come From?
The origin of the mango is rooted in tropical regions, but today, they are grown pretty much everywhere. From Africa and Asia to South America and Australia—you’ll find mango orchards on almost every continent. Even parts of Spain and Portugal have gotten in on the action! Because they grow in so many places, the harvest calendar is always full. Here’s a quick look at when different countries are picking their fruit:
- Brazil: January to March
- Kenya: October to May
- Mexico: March to October
- Costa Rica: March to August
When Is Mango Season?
Technically, there isn’t just one “mango season”—they are being harvested somewhere in the world every single day. Because the growing regions are spread across different hemispheres and climates, the harvest time is constantly shifting from one country to the next. The big win for us? We almost always have access to fresh fruit. However, since the peak harvest window in any specific region is often quite short, that’s one reason why mangoes can sometimes be a bit pricey.
Fresh or Not Quite?
Sometimes you have to do a little detective work to figure out where your supermarket mangoes actually came from, as the labeling isn’t always super clear. Knowing the region of origin is a great clue to whether your mango is ready to eat right now or if it needs to hang out on your counter for a few days.
Here’s the deal: some mangoes are picked when they are perfectly ripe and rushed to the US via air freight to ensure they hit the shelves at peak flavor. Others are picked a bit early and sent on a slower journey by ship, ripening along the way. Depending on the temperature during that boat ride, you might end up with a fruit that is slightly overripe or one that still needs to ripen at home.
The Bottom Line: Keep an Eye on the Origin
Once you get a feel for the different growing regions and their seasons, it’s much easier to pick out the perfect fruit during your grocery run. If the origin isn’t clearly marked at the store, a quick search for the brand name online can usually tell you exactly where it was grown and when it was harvested. Happy snacking!
