Alphonso: The King Of Mangoes

March 19, 2009 6:52 AM

Three years ago the Bush Administration allowed the importation of Indian mangoes for the first time in 30 years. It's mango season right now. Where can I get an alphonso mango in the USA?
posted by Xurando to Food & Drink (3 answers total)

I'm in New Jersey. I was just at my local multi-ethnic grocery store (which is not nearly as fancy as its website might imply) two days ago and they had plenty of them (under the spelling Alfonso). I didn't realize at the time that they were in any way special, I just remember thinking "hmm, wonder what the difference is between those mangoes and the kind you usually see."

I should note that the mangoes were conventional, not organic, and that my local Whole Foods doesn't carry any. So I doubt your local co-op/health food store would have them. Maybe a market that caters to the Asian population? Although I don't know VT well, as a former resident of New Hampshire my first impulse would be to head for Massachusetts in a situation like this.
posted by bcwinters at 7:22 AM on March 19, 2009

I would suggest finding a place that can order them for you rather than scouring the region. My coop can do orders for us members easily.
posted by scazza at 8:43 AM on March 19, 2009

Where can I get an alphonso mango in the USA?

New Mexico. (well, you didn't say it needed to be near your region...)

I see these fairly often at Smith's (big chain grocery store) and Sunflower Market (Whole Foods type store) next to the cheaper mangoes. I'll have to try one.
posted by yohko at 10:52 PM on March 19, 2009