Boston Mangowatch 2012

[grant.cook]

When will those tasty Alphonse and/or Kesar mangoes start showing up in Boston? Or as time goes by, any sightings yet?

[joebloe]

Kesar and alphonso mango now available at Patel Brothers in Waltham. Just grab two box @ $40/box!:(

[StriperGuy]

Ouchy. But gotta go grab some.

[Spike]

cheaper than South Shore India Market...that was $42/box for kesars. Singles were $4.50 each and they weren't in great shape. Ouch :-P
Got the last decent looking box.

Might have to stop by Patel to try the Alphonso ones next weekend :-)

[Moopheus]

How many mangoes are in a box?

[joebloe]

12.

[Splendid Spatula]

Not sure what kind they've had on sale at Whole Foods lately - flattish, yellow - but they have been delicious.

[grant.cook]

Those are the Atualfo's out of Mexico.. the one's I am waiting for are out of India. They've only been available in the US for a few years, and don't have a long season.

[StriperGuy]

The WF Atualfo's were not bad, but, as you know, nowhere the same side of the universe as the Indian ones...

[kimfair1]

The Atualfos are also known as Champagne mangos. correct? I've yet to get an Indian mango, but the Champagne mangos are way better than the Tommy Atkins type commonly seen around.

[Spike]

Yep. Atualfo are called Champagne AFAIK (at least they're the same shape and roughly the same taste).

The Kesar/Alfonso ones are far more fragrant...the flavor lingers in your mouth for a few minutes...sort of like truffles (not truffle oil :-)
They cost roughly $3-4 each compared to the $1 Atualfo/Champagne ones and you buy them by the case (roughly $25-30)...
They usually show up in late may, early june and only for a few weeks. It's part of Spring around here...like the return of the Stripers next month (though they're probably early this year because the herring/pogies/mackeral are back a few weeks early)...

[VivreManger]

Last year I gathered a list of Indian grocers and tried calling regular on a Kesar/Alfonso mango search. I am afraid the shops were consistently UNhelpful. So I hope we have more luck this year.

I have bought them in Montreal, but I can't bring those south of the border.

[grant.cook]

Even if you stuff them into the center of a case of Moosehead and when asked if you have anything to declare go.. "Beer.. Real Beer.. Canadian Beer, eh!"

[grant.cook]

But if I had to guess, isn't Patel Bros in Waltham the likely first place they'll show up?

[Spike]

I totally struck out last year too. They had really bad weather conditions last year, so very few were imported supposedly...

[Nab]

Patel Bros would be the first place I'd call for alphonsos or chaunsas, though if the season was anything like last year, I'd take a pass. Just a turrble season.

[joebloe]

They're available in Canada since last week, along with fresh unirradiated mangosteen. Merci beaucoup to our northern neighbor for fresh supply of indian mangos, mangosteen, and way far superior gentleman bars. Montreal here I come.

[StriperGuy]

Nice thread, I'll keep an eye out.