AU: Why selecting the right variety of mango is important

A major Australian mango producer is embarking on a marketing and social media campaign to inform consumers who buy mangoes that there are a number of varieties of mangoes offered for sale in Australia.

Managing director of Manbulloo Ltd, Marie Piccone says there is a lot of confusion among consumers over the differences, especially in Australia.

"People don't understand why mangoes they purchase taste different," she said, "A significant number of consumers are confused and many people don't really understand that the taste differences are because different varieties have individual flavours. I constantly have people asking 'why did the mango taste like that or why did it taste differently to what I expected?' I explain it's because the taste of a mango varieties vary.”

So her message for consumers is make sure they figure out which variety they are buying. 

"I encourage them to taste the different varieties on offer, then decide what variety, or varieties, you prefer or love," Ms Piccone said. "So it's firstly just getting the awareness that you need to decide on you personal preferences just like you decide in apples, and other products like wine."

She says research shows that there is also confusion about the different names given to the same variety, in particular the Kensington Pride, also known as the Bowen mango or the Bowen special.

"People often say to me I really like Bowen mangoes - you grow Kensington Prides, don't you - but I like Bowens" Ms Piccone said. "There's a perception out there, that the Bowen mango is different to the Kensington Pride mango. Many people are either confused or don't understand that both names are used for the same variety. Kensington Pride is the Bowen mango."

Ms Piccone explains that this "amazing tasting mango" was first named Kensington Pride because it was introduced into Australia in 1888 and found as a seedling on Kensington Park at Bowen. 

"The owner of Kensington Park named it Kensington Pride after he discovered it was a beautiful tasting and looking mango," she said. "As it went to market around Australia people associated it with Bowen – hence the name Bowen mango was born. Over time the name Bowen Special also evolved for Kensington Pride – adding somewhat to the confusion. Kensington Pride is the same mango as the KP, Bowen mango and the Bowen special it comes from the same original tree."

Manbulloo is seeking to inform Australian mango eaters through Facebook, our website, and Instagram. The company wants to engage with "mango-lovers" and consumers, explaining the joy and tribulations of growing mangoes, information about the trees and our team, varieties grown and their characteristics, as well as recipes. Ms Piccone says taste is a vital aspect when choosing which mango to consume, pointing out that eating a mango is often described as an "emotional and memorable experience".

"A lot of people describe Kensington Pride as having a distinct and recognisable mango flavour," she said. "If you eat it when just ripe, it has a real tang to it as well as sweetness. But it also has a lot of what we call volatiles which give it great flavour. It's a full flavoured, very "mango-ey" tasting variety. Kensington Pride is known as the iconic classic Australian mango variety. When we have sent shipments to the UK, they have marketed Kensington Pride as the finest mango in the world. The R2E2 has got a different mango flavour. Manbulloo R2E2s are very sweet, a bit exotic and spicy (a different flavour to KP), and still quite flavoursome. Honey Gold has got some of the KP characteristics, while other varieties such as Calypso are a very mild flavour which suits people who don't want that super distinctive Australian mango flavour."

She adds that retailers are already playing their part in variety education by explaining the different varieties at point of sale, with the aim that the increased education and careful chooses means satisfied, happy mango-loving consumers. Happy mango buyers and consumers is great for retailers and the Australian mango industry to build momentum and sales volume.