Mangoes are one of the most popular fruits around the world. With their sweet, soft flesh and unique tropical flavor, it’s easy to see why mangoes are loved by many. One particular variety that is gaining popularity is the Vero mango.
Vero mangoes are known for their exceptionally sweet and rich flavor. Many describe the taste as a cross between peaches, pineapples, and classic mangoes. The flesh is fiber-less and has a smooth, creamy texture that melts in your mouth. When perfectly ripened, Vero mangoes offer an intensely floral, fruity aroma and deeply sweet, succulent flesh.
Flavor Profile
So what exactly does a Vero mango taste like? Here’s an overview of the Vero mango’s distinctive flavor profile:
- Sweetness – Vero mangoes are exceptionally sweet, often described as honey-like in sweetness.
- Tropical fruit flavors – Bright, pronounced flavors of peach, pineapple, banana, and classic mango.
- Richness – The flesh is rich, almost creamy, and decadent.
- Fiberless texture – Smooth, soft, velvety flesh with no fibrousness.
- Floral aroma – Intensely floral, fruity aroma when ripe.
- Balanced acidity – Moderate acidity balances out the sweetness.
- Long finish – The sweet, fruity flavors linger long after you’ve swallowed.
Compared to other mango varieties like Tommy Atkins, Kent, Keitt, and Honey mango, Vero mangoes tend to be much sweeter and more intensely flavored. They lack the fibrous flesh and turpentine undertones found in some varieties. Instead, their flesh is almost completely smooth and their flavor is bright, floral, and ultrasweet.
Taste Comparison
To get a better idea of the Vero mango’s distinctive taste, it helps to compare it directly with other popular mango varieties:
| Mango Variety | Taste Description |
|---|---|
| Vero | Intensely sweet with pronounced peach, pineapple and classic mango flavors. Smooth, creamy, fiberless flesh. |
| Kent | Tart and tangy with moderate fiber. Bright tropical flavor. |
| Ataulfo | Ultra creamy and smooth. Mild sweetness with bright, champagne-like flavor. |
| Tommy Atkins | Mildly sweet and juicy with moderate fiber. Turpentine undertones when unripe. |
| Keitt | Moderately sweet with low acidity. Dense, fibrous flesh. |
As you can see, Vero really stands out from other mangoes with its intense sweetness, fruit salad flavors, and velvety smooth flesh. It lacks the fibrous textures and turpentine flavors that can be off-putting in some mango varieties.
Eating Quality
In addition to its exceptional flavor, Vero mangoes have an excellent eating quality that makes them easy to enjoy. Here’s an overview:
- Easy to slice and dice – With no fibers, Vero mangoes are easy to slice and dice into cubes or cheek slices.
- Minimal mess – The flesh cubes and slices hold together well. There’s no stringy pulp.
- Easy to bite and chew – Vero slices are soft enough to easily bite through and chew.
- Pit is easy to remove – The long, slender pit separates cleanly from the flesh.
- High flesh to seed ratio – More edible flesh and less waste compared to many varieties.
Vero mangoes require no peeling or cutting around fibers. You can simply slice off the cheeks or dice the mango into cubes and enjoy. The flesh also holds up well in fruit salads, salsas, smoothies, and more without turning mushy or watery.
Ripening
Like any mango variety, the stage of ripeness dramatically affects the flavor. Here’s an overview of how Vero mangoes taste at various stages of ripeness:
| Ripeness Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Underripe | Crisp, sour flesh with subtle floral notes. Fibers more noticeable. |
| Firm ripe | Sweet, rich flavor starts developing but still quite firm. Light floral aroma. |
| Perfectly ripe | Intense, sweet fruit salad flavor. Silky smooth texture. Floral, fruity aroma. |
| Overripe | Very soft, almost mushy flesh. Fermented flavors start developing. |
For the best flavor, allow Vero mangoes to fully ripen at room temperature until they yield slightly to gentle pressure. The skin will develop golden yellow blushing when ripe. Enjoy promptly once ripe for the richest, sweetest flavor and texture.
Versatility
Thanks to their outstanding flavor, Vero mangoes are incredibly versatile. Here are some of the best ways to enjoy them:
- Eaten plain – Simply peel, slice and devour! Vero mangoes need little enhancement.
- Fruit salads – Dice into fruit salads and salsas. Pairs well with stone fruits and berries.
- Smoothies – Blend into smoothies for natural sweetness.
- Yogurt parfaits – Layer with yogurt and granola for a delicious parfait.
- Sorbets and ice cream – Purée and freeze into ice cream or sorbet.
- Salsas and chutneys – Dice into salsas to pair with fish, chicken, pork or chips.
- Desserts – Use in cakes, pies, tarts, puddings.
Vero mangoes require minimal preparation so they’re easy to use in both sweet and savory dishes. Their rich, creamy flesh takes on other flavors well while also adding natural sweetness.
Availability
Vero is a specialty mango variety that originated in Florida. It was specially cultivated to have superior eating quality and richer flavor. As a result, it has limited commercial availability compared to mainstream varieties like Tommy Atkins and Kent. Here are a few tips for finding Vero mangoes:
- Look for them at specialty grocery stores, fruit stands, and international markets from March through July.
- Order directly from specialty fruit growers online during peak season.
- Vero mangoes are not typically available year-round. Enjoy them while you can during spring and summer!
Due to their short season, Vero mangoes tend to be on the more expensive side. Expect to pay $2-3 or more per mango. For many mango lovers, the exceptional eating experience is worth the splurge!
Storage
Like other mango varieties, Vero mangoes continue ripening after being picked from the tree. Here are some tips for proper storage:
- Room temperature – Keep unripe mangoes at room temperature to allow them to continue ripening. Avoid refrigerating unripe fruit.
- Paper bag – Place in a paper bag with an apple or banana to accelerate ripening through ethylene gas exposure.
- Ripen, then refrigerate – Once ripe, store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Avoid cold exposure – Don’t store unripe mangoes in the refrigerator or expose ripe mangoes to cold for extended periods. This can damage flavor and texture.
For the best quality and flavor, allow Vero mangoes to fully ripen at room temperature. Enjoy promptly once ripe, and store any leftover ripe fruit in the fridge for just a few days.
Nutrition
One of the best parts about Vero mangoes is that they deliver exceptional nutrition in addition to flavor. Here are some of the top nutrients found in a 1 cup serving (165g) of mango:
| Nutrient | % Daily Value |
|---|---|
| Vitamin C | 67% |
| Vitamin A | 25% |
| Folate | 12% |
| Vitamin B6 | 11% |
| Potassium | 8% |
| Copper | 9% |
Mangoes provide 100% of your daily vitamin C needs plus significant amounts of vitamin A, B vitamins, potassium, and other key antioxidants and minerals. Enjoying mangoes is a tasty way to boost your nutrient intake and support overall health.
Potential Health Benefits
Beyond basic nutrition, some research suggests that mangoes may offer additional health benefits:
- Lower blood sugar levels and risk of diabetes
- Improved digestion
- Anti-inflammatory effects
- Eye health from vitamin A and antioxidants like zeaxanthin
- Improved immunity from vitamin C and antioxidants
More research is needed, but the unique nutrient profile of mangoes shows promise for improving several aspects of health, especially skin, eye, gut, and immune health.
Conclusion
Vero mangoes offer an exceptionally sweet, rich flavor with smooth, silky flesh that melts in your mouth. Their taste combines intense mango flavors with notes of peach, pineapple, and banana for a unique tropical fruit experience. Vero truly stands out as a mango lover’s dream with its knock-your-socks-off sweetness and velvety texture.
While availability of this specialty variety is limited, seeking out Vero mangoes during peak season is a worthy splurge for mango aficionados. Enjoy them fresh, in fruit salads, in smoothies, or baked into desserts to appreciate their outstanding flavor and nutrition.