Alphonso mangoes

[BLM]

Have the alphonso mangoes showed up this season yet in Montreal? If yes, what establishments(I'm guessing the same places as previous years) & what are the prices this year? From seeing the discussion at the Toronto section of this board, it's been in Toronto for a couple of weeks.

[mtlalex]

FYI - they have been available at Marche Victoria Oriental for the past 3-4 weeks. They come in on Thursday morning and are all gone by mid-afternoon.

Looks like we're getting to the end of the season though. The ones I bought this morning weren't as perfect as the ones I bought three weeks ago.

[cherylmtl]

It's nowhere near the end of the season yet - you must have gotten a bad box, because the ones I picked up yesterday were perfect - much better than the ones last year, actually.

[hungryann]

Oh good news. I got a horrible batch last year and was a bit turned off them. I wasn't planning on getting any this year because of it, but if they're still good, I'll venture out to the WI. Are they still $23 a dozen?

[JadeMyst]

Apr 5 2012

The cashier at Marche Victoria Oriental, at 6324 Victoria has told me that alphonso mangoes will be available tomorrow, Friday Apr 6 starting at 10 am

[Whygee]

Any updates on that front? Does somebody know when is the best time to go? Thanks.

[jay_81k]

You have to go thursdays at 10 am. I went last week and got some kesars instead since they have a bit less of that perfumey taste. They were ok not as good as previous times. Still better than the average mango but at 22$ a case of 12 small mangos, not sure if theyre worth it.

[Whygee]

Thanks I got my mangoes this morning. I got the alphonsos for 18$ a case. They had Kesar too.

[jay_81k]

I think he ripped me off! 22$ a case.. How are they?

[Whygee]

I read that the price is going down ;-)

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_...

It's my first them trying them so it's tough for me to say... For me the difference with a "normal" mango is like the difference between a local strawberry and one from California in the middle of winter. It's true that they have a somewhat soapy aroma though. How do the Kesar usually compare?

[jay_81k]

The kesar are very similar but have a bit less of that taste that the alphonsos do, that's why I like them a bit better. Try out a Haitian mango next time. I think I like those better

[Whygee]

I've tried them once at Marché Jean-Talon and they were great, plus they were larger. Were do you usually get them?

[SnackHappy]

These are red mangoes, right?

[jay_81k]

No they're yellow when ripe. Kesars are more green.

[SnackHappy]

Oh, thanks! I must have been confusing them with Cuban mangoes. I don't think I've ever had a Haitian mango, then. I'll keep an eye out of them since I much prefer yellow mangoes to red ones.

[jay_81k]

I just realised you were asking about the Haitian mangoes. They're more of a green color with some yellow. No red at all. I've had just ok ones before but when they're good they're really tasty. I find them randomly at ethnic grocery stores.

[hungryann]

I had some Haitian mangoes from Sami last year. They sell them by the case and individually. I bought a couple and the flesh was tough and fibrous. They were green-yellow after a week of ripening chez moi. Maybe they need to be yellower (riper) when purchasing. I'll keep an eye out for them.

[jay_81k]

They were 18$ a box of 12 for Alphonsos and 17$ a box of 12 for Kesars BTW

[jay_81k]

So I finally got them!! Got there at 9:55, there was already a lineup! They had very limited boxes, like 40 at most. Some were Alphonsos some Kesar. The Indian people seemed to be buying up the kesars more so than the alphonsos so I decided to get a box of each. Havent tried one yet because I prefer my mangoes cold but I will let you guys know how they were. Also the ripeness varied from mango to mango, some were green some perfectly ripe.

[BLM]

I like the Kesars just about as equally as the Alphonsos, but most of the people on this Montreal board prefer Alphonsos.

[carswell]

A friend who was in that lineup says the staff told him they think the alphonso season is peaking this week or next. The ones he kindly shared with me are plump, red-tinged and amazingly fragrant. Going to give them a day or two to ripen further before eating.

[BLM]

Do you know what time Marche Victoria Oriental on Victoria opens(9:30am or maybe at 9am)? I want to be there when it first opens to make sure I get some Alphonsos on Thursday.

[jay_81k]

10am. Be there by 9:50am and you'll be fine. I had a mango overload when I went, I need a break. :s

[jay_81k]

Did you get em?

[BLM]

Nope. Couldn't make it for 9:50am today. Way across town for me. Hopefully get there next Thursday morning. I wish I could be allowed to reserve a box of the Indian mangoes.

[BLM]

Finally got the box of alphonso mangoes today(Thursday).

[jay_81k]

How are they??

[VivreManger]

Any hope that they might still be coming in next Thursday?

[BLM]

Yes, there still could be more coming next Thursday.

[BLM]

They were very good. Ate the ripe ones last night(even if some of them still had a little green skin). .

[jay_81k]

They are good but after eating a bunch they got a bit nauseating, I find them a bit too perfumey. I think I enjoy the Kesar a bit better or even a good haitian mango. Havent been back since my first case.

[BLM]

Previously, I think I enjoyed the Kesar mangoes better than the Alphonsos(I mentioned it on this board at the time), but that was 2 years ago. Tried 2-3 Alphonsos last night.

[moh]

The alphonsos are selling out really quickly these days. Perhaps it is still early on in the season, and so they re getting limited boxes. I think you basically need to be there right at 10:00 am to get in line or call right at 10:00 to reserve a box. I hope there will be more later on, I think they are just starting to get into season.

The kesars were still around until noon, but when we went at 12:30 we got the last box of unreserved kesars they had. So the Kesars are also going fast. The kesars are less powerfully aromatic than the alphonsos, but I love their creaminess, and they are still very powerfully mango flavoured. The kesars are $17 for a box of 12. You can start eating them when they start turning orange, as long as the flesh yields to gentle pressure and you get a strong whiff of mango from them. Don't worry about getting a box of green mangos, they ripen quickly if left out.

I wouldn't bother with mangos from other countries while the indian mangos are in season. The atulpho mangos are delicious, but they will be around for a long time before and after the indian mango season has passed. Similarly, the really beautiful fat cats from brazil and Israell will be out later. The fat cats are delicious too, but they aren't quite as creamy as the indian mangos. More risk of fiber.

[jay_81k]

I just dont get how they cant order more mangoes if they sell out so fast. India Produces the most mangoes in the world. I need to get into the mango business :>

[BLM]

Or why only one Montreal Indian establishment is bringing in the Indian mangoes.

[BLM]

I didn't know you're allowed to reserve the alphonso/kesar boxes there.

[jay_81k]

I doubt they would let you reserve it unless they know you there. As for other places having them, When I lived in the West Island I used to get these pakistani mangoes on des sources a little after Adonis and before Pierrefonds. It was a strip of indian stores/restaurants. Not sure what its called but they had delicious mangoes from pakistan pretty often. Not sure if they were alphonsos though.

[BLM]

So that explains it. I've tried to reserve before, but they wouldn't allow me.

[cherylmtl]

Apna Bazaar on Sources used to carry them, and the other Marche Victoria on Sources also should have them.

[BLM]

Both Apna Bazaar & Marche Victoria Oriental on Sources are carrying the Alphonsos now. I just checked over the phone. Could someone on this board, find out the prices Apna Bazaar is charging for a box of Alphonsos(they don't want to give it out over the phone).

[jay_81k]

I tried going today at 2pm and they were already sold out!! Apparently you gotta go around 10 am. They had these Big really green mangoes from Haiti I believe, but they were way too unripe and unfragrant so didnt bother.. They also had some tiny ripe ones from Dominican Republic that looked interesting so I bought a few... Havent tried them yet. Gonna attempt to next week again for the alphonsos.

[BLM]

I was also there at 2pm today, when they were already sold out. Maybe I saw you.

[jay_81k]

Ate too much risotto last night couldnt wake up to go get the mangos! :< I called at 1045 and they were sold out already! BLM did you get any?

[BLM]

Not yet this year so far.

[jay_81k]

Im doing it next week. Ill be first in line!

[BLM]

Thanks for telling us, even 10:45am is too late to get alphonso mangoes there. Nobody else in the city is carrying alphonso mangoes?

[moh]

Alphonsos are now available at Marche Victoria Oriental, at 6324 Victoria. Picked up some yesterday, and they are yummy! Kesars are not yet available. I paid $20 for a box of Alphonsos. If you don't see them in the store, they may have some in the back, so you should ask. Deliveries are on Thursday.

[JadeMyst]

Lovely Moh, thx for letting us know. I haven't been out hunting for them since I'm sidetracked with tennis elbow. I'll try and get a friend to drive me to Marche V/O and hope they have a box left from yesterday.

[BLM]

Are they a good size(not too small, as it's usually very small early in the Alphonso season)?

[VivreManger]

How long are they likely to remain in stock? Does the $20 box contain a dozen? I won't be able to get to 6324 Victoria for another week or so. Will they still be available then?

[cherylmtl]

The $20 box contains a dozen, and they don't sell them individually, as far as I know. Usually, they are sold out by the end of the evening the day they come in, or early the next day. Your best bet is to call on a Thursday to find out what time they will be in the store, and then stop by accordingly.

[BLM]

I'm guessing they will still be available for at least a couple of more weeks. If Alphonsos not available, you can try to get Kesars(also sold by the box of a dozen mangoes).

[jay_81k]

im gonna go check it out later. I need them!