Alphonso Mangoes

[saffronhut]

Anybody know if Alphonso mangoes from India are available in any of the grocery stores (Indian or otherwise) here in Seattle (preferably Bellevue)?

[cocktailhour]

I was in Bombay last year during Alphonso season. so so good. every one visting Bombay from another part of India took home at least a box full--they were so hard to get outside of Maharashtra, much less internationally. Now I am tempted to import my own perfect box!

[Mr. Mango]

Whole Foods won't have Alphonsos this year. I did order some through a specialty mail-order vendor. I would name it here but the service wasn't fantastic so I don't want to give them a plug. If you google "alphonso mangos" several mail-order vendors come up. My guy was in LA and claims to have 3,000 customers of Alphonsos. I paid back in March and missed his first two shipments because he had a backlog of unsatisfied customers from last year. When they did finally last week arrive there were incredible! I paid $80 including shipping from 12 perfect Mangos. My vendor offered 100% satisfaction guarantee (email him a photo of a bad Mango and he'll send a new one).

I've never seen Alphonsos for sale off-the-rack in Seattle or NYC. I think you essentially need a direct relationship with someone who is ordering them from a supplier in India. Of course you could also order them direct from a supplier in India and import them yourself but that's pretty extreme...

[gmm]

I don't have a source for you, but I'd love to find them as well, so please post an update if you find them. I looked while I was at HMart in Lynnwood today, as they often carry hard-to-find produce items. They had a couple different varieties of mangoes, but not the Alphonsos. But if you have a craving for Balut, you can find that in the product section. :)

[lavaca]

I want to say that I saw them at the Roosevelt Whole Foods on Friday, but no promises. They also had rangpur limes, although the label was coy about actually calling them that.

[tedfood]

Went to Whole Foods at Roosevelt this afternoon and no Alphonso mangoes only the "champagne" ones. I don't think they know about Indian mangoes. I have not seen them here in Seattle, only in NY for a short period of time and $$$. Very delicious!

[saffronhut]

Thanks for the response! I'm gonna call some of the Indian grocery stores here and will let you know if I find 'em!

[AnonymousCoward]

Saw them Friday night at Mayuri in Issaquah (bonus: right near Noodle Boat!) $3.75 each, or by the box -- can't remember the price. For what it's worth, $4.75 originally but price crossed out. You might be able to haggle them down more.

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Noodle Boat
700 NW Gilman Blvd Ste E104B, Issaquah, WA 98027