The mangoes grow at the end of a long, stringlike stem (the
former panicle), with sometimes two or more mangoes to a stem. The Pak Mangoes are 2
to 10 inches long and may be kidney shaped, ovate or (rarely) round. They
range in size from 8 ounces to around 24 ounces. The flower scar at
the apex is prominent, in some cultivars bulging from the mango. The leathery
skin is waxy and smooth, and when ripe entirely pale green or yellow or marked with
red, according to cultivar. The quality of the mango is based on the scarcity of fiber and
minimal turpentine taste.
The flesh of a mango is peachlike and juicy, with more or less numerous
fibers radiating from the husk of the single large kidney-shaped seed. Fibers
are more pronounced in fruits grown with hard water and chemical fertilizers.
The flavor is pleasant and rich and high in sugars and acid. The seed may either
have a single embryo, producing one seedling, or polyembryonic, producing
several seedlings that are identical but not always true to the parent type. It
is impossible to distinguish true-to-type from zygotic seedlings from the same
fruit. Some seedlings produce numerous tiny, parthenocarpic fruits which fail to
develop and abort. Mango trees tend to be alternate bearing.
Appearance
Clean
Free from blemishes, insect damage, fungal infection
Best Mangoes
on Sale
The mangoes grow at the end of a long, stringlike stem (the
former panicle), with sometimes two or more mangoes to a stem. The Pak Mangoes are 2
to 10 inches long and may be kidney shaped, ovate or (rarely) round. They
range in size from 8 ounces to around 24 ounces. The flower scar at
the apex is prominent, in some cultivars bulging from the mango. The leathery
skin is waxy and smooth, and when ripe entirely pale green or yellow or marked with
red, according to cultivar. The quality of the mango is based on the scarcity of fiber and
minimal turpentine taste.
The flesh of a mango is peachlike and juicy, with more or less numerous
fibers radiating from the husk of the single large kidney-shaped seed. Fibers
are more pronounced in fruits grown with hard water and chemical fertilizers.
The flavor is pleasant and rich and high in sugars and acid. The seed may either
have a single embryo, producing one seedling, or polyembryonic, producing
several seedlings that are identical but not always true to the parent type. It
is impossible to distinguish true-to-type from zygotic seedlings from the same
fruit. Some seedlings produce numerous tiny, parthenocarpic fruits which fail to
develop and abort. Mango trees tend to be alternate bearing.
