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best-mango-varieties

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23 Best Mango Varieties Around the World (and How to Enjoy Them)

FDL
By
Fine Dining Lovers
Editorial Staff

Did you know there are over a thousand mango varieties grown around the world? Some are tiny and silky, others are massive and citrusy, and one even holds a Guinness World Record for sweetness. If you’ve only tried supermarket standards, you’re in for a golden surprise. In this guide, meet 23 of the most loved mangoes—from India’s regal Alphonso to Mexico’s buttery Ataulfo—plus how to pick, serve, and cook with them.

best-mango-varieties-carabao

Record-Holders: Sweetest, Largest & Smallest

1) The Sweetest - Carabao (Philippine/Manila Mango)  

The Carabao mango, from the Philippines, holds the Guinness World Record for sweetest mango on Earth. Buttery, floral, and silky, it’s the gold standard for tropical sweetness. It originated in the Philippines, where it is named after the carabao, a Filipino breed of water buffalo. 

Best for: Fresh eating and desserts

Fun fact: There are 14 different strains of carabao mango, with several popular Mexican varieties descending from it.

Discover more about the Philippine mango.

2) The Largest - Keitt 

First grown in Homestead, Florida, by J.N. Keitt in 1939, this green-skinned variety can weigh over two pounds. It’s sweet, sour, and citrusy—best enjoyed chilled and slightly soft to the touch.

It’s now grown across much of the Caribbean, and Central and South America, but is only available for a short period in the summer, which means they can be tricky to get a hold of.

Best for: Juicing and slicing
Tip tip: Keitt mangoes stay green even when ripe—use touch, not color, to judge ripeness.

3) The Smallest (of two) - Anwar Ratol 

The silky and custardy Anwar Ratol traces its roots to Rataul, a village on the Uttar Pradesh–Delhi border in northern India, where it was selected and named in the early 20th century. From there, cuttings spread across the subcontinent—especially to Pakistan’s Punjab and Sindh—where the petite, intensely sweet mango became a cult favorite.

  • Best for: Fresh eating, lassi

4) The Smallest (of two) - Dasheri 

The Dasheri mango, a small and intensely fragrant variety, hails from Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. Its elongated shape and smooth, honey-like flesh make it one of India’s most beloved and delicately flavored varieties.

  • Best for: Juices, lassis, chutneys
     
best-mango-varieties-serving

19 Other Famous Mango Varieties

Indian Mango Varieties

India is home to some of the world’s most celebrated mangoes—fragrant, creamy, and full of history.

5. Alphonso (Hapus)

  • Origin: Maharashtra/Goa
  • Texture: Non-fibrous, buttery
  • Flavor: Saffron-hued, honeyed, luxurious
  • Best for: Pulp, ice creams, desserts

6. Kesar

  • Origin: Gujarat
  • Texture: Creamy, fine fiber
  • Flavor: Sweet-aromatic with gentle tang
  • Best for: Smoothies, sorbets

 7. Langra

Origin: Varanasi • Season: May–Aug
Texture: Juicy, some fiber
Flavor: Sweet-tart, addictive
Best for: Savory curries, pickles
 

8. Banganapalli (Benishan)

  • Origin: Andhra Pradesh • Season: Apr–Jun
  • Texture: Firm, low-fiber
  • Flavor: Mild, clean
  • Best for: Slicing, salads
     

9. Totapuri

  • Origin: South India • Season: May–Jul
  • Texture: Crisp, light fiber
  • Flavor: Pleasantly tart
  • Best for: Chutneys, curries, pickles

Thai Mango Varieties

Thailand produces some of the most aromatic mangoes in the world - prized for their floral sweetness.

10. Nam Dok Mai

  • Origin: Thailand • Season: Mar–Jun
  • Texture: Silky, low-fiber
  • Flavor: Floral, tropical, nectar-like
  • Best for: Mango sticky rice, desserts
     

Mexico (and Latin America)

11. Ataulfo (Honey/Champagne)

  • Origin: Mexico • Season: Feb–Aug
  • Texture: Very low fiber, custardy
  • Flavor: Honeyed, vanilla notes
  • Best for: Smoothies, purées, fresh eating

12. Haden

  • Origin: Florida; now grown in MX
  • Texture: Slight fiber
  • Flavor: Sweet-tart with classic tropical perfume
  • Best for: Snacking, juicing

13. Kent

  • Origin: Florida; grown widely in MX/PE
  • Texture: Tender, low-fiber
  • Flavor: Sweet, mellow, peachy
  • Best for: Juices, baking

14. Tommy Atkins

  • Origin: Florida; exported globally • Season: Long (varies)
  • Texture: Firm, fibrous; ships well
  • Flavor: Mildly sweet
  • Best for: Slicing, salads, reliability

Egypt

15. Zebda

  • Origin: Egypt
  • Texture: Dense, low-fiber
  • Flavor: Sweet, aromatic
  • Best for: Juices, preserves

Africa (Kenya & South Africa)

16. Ngowe (Kenya)

  • Texture: Juicy, moderate fiber
  • Flavor: Sweet with citrus lift
  • Best for: Fresh eating

17. Sabre (South Africa)

  • Texture: Firm, less fibrous
  • Flavor: Balanced, sweet
  • Best for: Juicing, jams

Florida & the Caribbean

18. Glenn (Florida)

  • Texture: Smooth, low-fiber
  • Flavor: Sweet with tropical aroma
  • Best for: Fresh eating, smoothies

19. Palmer (Florida/Brazil)

  • Texture: Smooth, medium-firm
  • Flavor: Gentle, mild
  • Best for: Extended harvests, export

20. Julie (Caribbean, esp. Jamaica)

  • Texture: Firm, fine fiber
  • Flavor: Spicy-sweet, intensely aromatic
  • Best for: Fresh eating

21. Valencia Pride (Florida)

  • Texture: Juicy, low-fiber
  • Flavor: Bright, tropical
  • Best for: Slicing, platters

Pakistan

22. Chaunsa

  • Texture: Creamy, low-fiber
  • Flavor: Intensely sweet, deeply aromatic
  • Best for: Fresh eating, milkshakes

23. Sindhri

  • Texture: Silky, low-fiber
  • Flavor: Honeyed with gentle tang
  • Best for: Desserts, chilled slices

Now that you know about the different varieties of mango, it’s time to learn how to pick and serve them.

How to Pick & Serve Mangoes

  • Ripeness test: Squeeze gently—if it gives slightly, it’s ready.
  • Cutting method: Slice off each side of the pit, score into cubes, and flip the skin for a perfect “mango hedgehog.”
  • Serving ideas: Fresh, in smoothies, chutneys, pickles, desserts, or even grilled.

Mango, a Nutritional Juggernaut

If you’ve ever been in the tropics during mango season, you’ll know that the markets and larders are overflowing with this delight. The abundance of vitamins and minerals in each individual fruit matches the bounty of the harvest. 

Mangoes deliver:

  • Vitamin C (boosts immunity)
  • Fiber & folate (digestion & energy)
  • Copper & polyphenols (heart health & antioxidants)
  • Naturally free of fat, sodium, and cholesterol

No wonder mango is called the “king of fruits” across so many cultures.

FAQ

Why do some mangoes stay green when ripe?
Cultivars like Keitt retain green skin even when ready. Use aroma and gentle give to judge ripeness.

Which mangoes are least fibrous?
Look for Alphonso, Ataulfo, Nam Dok Mai, Kesar, Carabao, Chaunsa, Sindhri—all prized for silky flesh.

How should I store cut mango?
Refrigerate in an airtight container and consume within 2 days; a squeeze of lime helps keep the flavor bright.

Recipes with Mango

Mango & Prosciutto Salad

Juicy mango slices meet delicate curls of prosciutto—a perfect mix of sweet and savory.

Grilled Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa

Crisp shrimp, fresh mango salsa, and a squeeze of lime—the taste of summer in a tortilla.

Portobello Burger with Mango

Give a grilled Portobello mushroom burger a sweet, colorful lift with bright strips of fresh mango.

Mango sorbet

Give your dessert time a twist with this Mango sorbet with raspberry sauce.

From India’s royal Alphonso to Mexico’s golden Ataulfo, each mango tells a story of climate, craft, and cuisine. Whether you’re blending, grilling, or simply slicing one open at the table, there’s a mango for every palate. Which is your favorite?

Hungry for more? Discover 10 unusual citrus fruits to put on the menu.

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