2012 alphonso mango sightings

[foodyDudey]

I figured it was Alphonso mango season, so headed over to Kohinoor Foods on Gerrard street on Saturday. I picked up a box of 12 for $26. I tried one today and it was perfect. The guy in the store said they have had them for 3 or 4 weeks now. I just wanted to mention they are here and taste fine.

I also bought a few chicoos (sapodilla) and they tasted great also.

[gimel]

$25/case at Om India Food Center in Thornhill (plaza at Dufferin/Center). I think that's a dollar or two more than I paid there last year. Make sure you pick and choose to get rid of any over-ripe specimens.

A few years ago my local no-frills had mini-cases of 6 for a really good price - every year I ask if they're going to get them again, and they think I'm mispronouncing Ataulfo.

[gimel]

Just a note that Kesar mangos are now in (at least at Om Food Center) - a little bit cheaper at $24/case, but more importantly I'm finding better quality in terms of lack of bruising and hidden internal rot compared to the Alphonsos I was getting there. Taste-wise they're similar to Alphonso, but with some of the vigorous terpenoid flavour dialed back in favour of increased floral flavour.

[salumifan]

Any available in the west end of the city?

[Iron Buddha]

Last year I did buy some Pakistani Chuasah mangoes at BestWin - even more aromatic but in a light fragrant way than Alphonso. Not sure when the season for Chuasah is though.

[katchem_ash]

Alphonso do not hold a candle to Pakistani Mango's whose season will just about to start. If you want a real mango, have a Pakistani one. Will blow any Indian mango away. A Sindri or a Chuasah is much much better.

[Ted Richards]

I found some at BestWin supermarket on Victoria Park south of O'connor. $5.99/lb.

[caitlink]

Any alphonsos in Mkm? I usually get mine last year from Bombay Bazaar for around $20 a case. Don't want to trek all the way downtown.

[GeeDee]

Went there today, but didn't see any.

[warlock]

Thanks for the heads up foodyDudey...

we go through this every year where people confuse Ataulfo with Alphonsoes...I guess because of similarity with the spellings...
Alphonsoes are sold only in India/Pakistani grocery stores..
The ones you see in the asian grocery stores are Ataulfo....
Ataulfo does not even hold a candle to Alphonsoes.....
Have an alphonso and you are spoiled for life....

[food face]

Ok, I feel silly about the confusion. Come to think of it, I have had both! Yes, the ones from the Indian neighborhood are really amazing. The chinatown ones are fantastic too though :)

[foodyDudey]

That's right, I don't usually get excited about Ataulfo mangos. The ones we get here are usually from Mexico. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ataulfo_(mango)

Here is an article from the Star where Corey Mintz praises the Ataulfo, saying it's just about the top mango.

http://www.thestar.com/living/article...

If Tommy Atkins is the cheap chocolate of mangoes, then the Ataulfo, often billed as young, baby, yellow, or honey manilla, is closer to ganache-filled truffles

I guess the writer hasn't heard of Alphonso mangos!

[prima]

Considering how many mango cultivars exist, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_... , I'm guessing some other mango cultivars could even give the Alphonso a run for the title of top mango!

Is Kohinoor usually the best place for produce on Gerrard?

[foodyDudey]

Nothing gives the Alphonso a run for it's rupees, and definitely not an Ataulfo! I don't know if Kohinoor is the best place, but it's where I usually go as I haven't been happy with the place on the south side, a block or two west, with "cash and carry" in the name.

BJ supermarket is OK also for some items. Kohinoor looks like it got a much needed clean up when I was there last weekend. If you are looking for hard to find fruits and vegetables, it's a good place to shop. I bought some excellent okra from India there on the weekend. Indian okra is much better than the stuff you find in the regular stores, which always looks faded in colour and not very fresh. Additionally, Indian Okra does not have that slippery feel that North American varieties have, which I don't like.

[prima]

thanks, foodyDudey. Will have to visit Kohinoor one of these days.

http://masala-sunset.blogspot.ca/2008...

[JonasBrand]

The Indian Okra at Kohinoor is excellent.

That said, I actually prefer a good Ataulfo to an Alphonso... de gustibus non est disputandum!

[crawfish]

But I agree with Corey if all you have ever eaten is a Tommy Atkins mango then an Ataulfo is pretty mind blowing. I'm almost scared to try an Alphonso, what if I can't go back? :)

[foodyDudey]

no problem if you get hooked on Alphonso mangos, I'll set up "Alphonso safe eating and injection sites" where you can come and get your fix.

[crawfish]

Exactly! It's a gateway......

[crawfish]

OK, I tried an Alphonso this morning (thanks, fickle!). It IS a very special thing. It tastes like mango nectar, very flowery and aromatic. I will still enjoy Ataulfos but I will make a point of getting a case of Alphonso's next year.

[food face]

That is really expensive! I live in Chinatown and have scouted the best product in the neighborhood. Suprisingly the best ones are consistantly sold out of a herb store. They sell them seasonally. I picked a box of 16 gorgious ones for $14.99. They are priced according to their size and ripeness and generally perfectness and can also be purchased individually. Will be making a mango/bananna crisp with them!.

East side of Spadina, half a block south of Dundas. Can't miss them.

[sbug206]

Those aren't Alphonso mangos.

[food face]

oh

[crawfish]

I really enjoy Ataulfo mangos at this time of year. Are Alphonso that much better?

[Flexitarian]

The aroma and the taste of these mangos are unlike any other mango I have ever experienced. A real treat you can only enjoy for a few weeks each year. Try them and see!

[caitlink]

alphonso is a much stronger taste. i stick to ataulfo rest of year. And pick up a case or 2 of alphonso when available. But $27 is steep. Seems like price goes up every year. how many in a case?
Best i had was when i picked up some Australian (?) ones in HK. Very creamy, ripe and no stringy fibre stuff.

[EarlyDrive]

12 in a case (for $27, at Kohinoor).

[foodyDudey]

What isn't going up every year? These same mangos were around $23 - 25 last year, and transportation costs have risen since then. Last time I checked, these mangos where still been flown over from India, not sent over by glider.
Alphonso mangos are only grown in India, are you sure you had some that were from Australia?

Check out the prices mentioned here from 2010 http://articles.timesofindia.indiatim...

7000 rupees was around $140 back then (for 48 mangos)

[sbug206]

Just picked up a case myself. $27!! I'm sure I got them last year for $24...

[grandgourmand]

Wow, that was quick. Forgot they started showing up this early.

thanks for the heads up.