Five Things to Know About Eating Mangoes

Mangoes are in season. Shortly after the first rain of the year hit many Nigerian cities, baskets of mangoes started making their way into markets, supermarts, and your favorite online grocery stores like PricePally, to the delight of consumers. The anticipation of mangoes is a yearly affair in Nigeria because mangoes, like many other fruits, are seasonal. We don’t have them year-round, so we love them while they’re around.

Mango trees blossom around April, depending on the variety and geographical location. Flowering starts in the dry season (late Harmattan). This is when the weather is dry and less humid, which favors pollination and reduces disease. It takes about 3–4 months for mangoes to fully mature. Once matured, the mangoes are harvested while they’re still firm, as this allows for easy transportation despite bumpy roads. If left on the trees, mangoes can overripen within a few weeks, causing them to bloat and burst.

Once harvested, mangoes are sorted, washed, and sometimes dipped in mild fungicides or warm water to reduce spoilage. They’re then packed into crates or baskets lined with soft materials (like leaves or paper) to cushion the fruits during transportation to markets. The mango plantation is left to regenerate nutrients for the next fruiting cycle.

Mangoes are generally sweet and fleshy fruits, but the richness of their juice depends on both the ripeness and the variety. For example, many Nigerians consider Sheri mangoes to be sweeter than Julie mangoes. Nigeria is home to more than just these two varieties—there are several types enjoyed across the country.

Varieties of Mangoes in Nigeria

Growing up, I ate mangoes like clockwork, never questioning the differences in taste or texture. To us, sweet mangoes were simply soft and ripe, while the almost-sweet ones were just victims of early plucking. Eventually, we concluded there were two kinds: the sweet, soft mangoes with yellowish-orange skin, and the firmer, green-skinned ones we called isu mangoes.

If you’ve walked through a mango market, you’ve likely segregated mangoes into only two classes. Well, except you were familiar with the different varieties. If you aren’t, or you’d like a refresher, here are some common ones:

Sheri Mangoes

Sheri mangoes are the leaders of the pack. They’re one of the most distributed varieties in Nigeria, given their remarkably distinct sweet, juicy appeal. Sheri mangoes have been linked to the famed Alphonso mangoes which originate from India and are one of the most prized mangoes in the world.

Most mangoes are elliptical in shape and sheri mangoes aren’t immune to this shaping. They retain their shape when peeled or cut. A mature Sheri mango will have a dominant yellow skin, the green tone having receded into the background. Farm-fresh Sheri mangoes are available for bulk or unit purchase on PricePally, starting at ₦200 for one.

Sheri mangoes

Julie Mangoes

Unlike Sheri mangoes, Julie mangoes lack a perfectly-elliptical shape. Instead, they shift between an ellipsis, an ovoid, and a geoid. In their ripened state, they retain a green skin, though the flesh deepens in yellow as the fruit matures.

Julie mangoes have been traced to the Caribbean and are one of the most popular mango varieties in the region. On ripening, they shed the green at the base of the fruit for yellow hues. On PricePally, Julie mangoes cost less than Sheri mangoes.

Peter Mangoes

These mangoes work well regardless of your eating preference—sucking the fruit or slicing the fruit before chewing. Peter mangoes are usually medium-sized, with a greenish-yellow skin when ripe. They’re known for their firm flesh, which makes them perfect for people who don’t enjoy overly juicy or fibrous mangoes.

Because they have a lower water content, Peter mangoes—also called John Peter—can withstand the rigours of transportation. This ensures they don’t spoil as quickly as other varieties, making them valuable for resale.

Ogbomoso Mangoes

For some Nigerians, Ogbomoso mangoes are the greatest of all mangoes. These mangoes have a smooth, succulent texture, with a fine blend of ripe-yellow and green skin. Ogbomoso mangoes have soft, fibrous fruits that fall into the mouth easily, whether via slicing or sucking, without leaving threads of fibre stuck between the teeth.

As the name implies, these mangoes are native to Ogbomoso, a town in Oyo State. They’re prominently available from the onset of the rainy season till the end of the mango season in late July.

Kerosene Mangoes

Kerosene mangoes earn their name from their unmistakable aroma—often described as sharp or kerosene-like, especially when fully ripe. This scent sets them apart in markets, making them instantly recognizable even before the first bite. Typically medium-sized with a greenish to yellow skin as they ripen, Kerosene mangoes have a firm, fibrous flesh that carries a bold, tangy-sweet flavor.

They’re often enjoyed fresh, though some people prefer to blend them into juices or use them in spicy mango sauces to balance out the strong taste. In local markets, Kerosene mangoes are considered “a grown-up mango”—favored by those who like their fruit with a bit more bite.

There are also varieties like Palaba, Jekanyo, Opioro, and Benue mangoes. Regardless of variety, including mangoes in your diet can improve your health and wellness, keeping you glowing year long.

Nutritional Benefits of Eating Mangoes

Aside their sumptuous tropical flavor, mangoes:

Are Wholesome

One serving of fresh mango supplies 70g of nutrients, including 2g of fibres (about 7% of the daily value required) and 50% of the DV of Vitamin C. The same measure of mangoes also contains about 20g of carbohydrates, a trace measure of proteins and zero fats. Yes, mangoes are fat-less fruits.

Beyond their expected immune-fighting and digestion-promoting capabilities, tossing in some slices of mangoes into your fruit bowl will fill you with both carbs and nutrients to power through the day or refuel your energy level at night.

Contain Immune-Boosting Nutrients

Mangoes contain a community of nutrients that boost the immune system and enhance protection from alien entities. Two noteworthy vitamins, Vitamins A and C, present in desirable portions in mangoes, ensure disease prevention and can contribute to increased white blood cells, sabotaging infections.

Can Improve Digestion

Most fruits aid digestive health, and mangoes aren’t left out. When consumed, mangoes release digestive enzymes into the digestive tract. These enzymes, called amylases, break down heavy foods, aiding the absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream. They can also distill complex carbs from other foods into simple sugars like sucrose and glucose. The riper a mango, the higher the enzymes present in it. Mangoes also contain fibers and water which can fix constipation and related digestive problems.

Perform Other Supporting Duties

Mangoes are linked to other medicinal benefits. Research indicates that mangoes contain mangiferin, an antioxidant that may be good for heart health. Mangoes also contain magnesium and potassium, nutrients that promote healthy blood flow by lowering blood pressure. Mangiferin has also been recognised for its anti-cancer ability.

Two more antioxidants in mangoes, lutein and zeaxanthin, aid the functioning of the retina, reducing the absorption of sunlight and protecting the eyes from blue lights. So when you accumulate mango consumption over several weeks, months, and years, you whet your taste buds while nourishing your body with nutrients that enhance wellness.

Can be Varied

Mangoes can be varied. You can be versatile with how you eat mangoes. Tired of grappling with the sticky juice or the tiny fibre threads that stick between your teeth? Consider cutting the fruity flesh of mangoes onto a plate and mixing it into a bowl of fruits.

You can also try adding mangoes to your smoothie prep or blending the juicy flesh when making homemade fruit juice. Or you can prepare a bowl of mango dessert, bake a cake with mangoes as the key ingredient, or pay homage to the Mexicans by trying their traditional mango salsa.

If that feels too extra, you should try these two simple mango varieties below.

Should You Try Mango Juice or Smoothies?

Both mango juice and mango smoothies are easy, refreshing drinks that anyone with a blender can make at home. Mango juice concentrates on the fruity flesh of mangoes; the sweeter and juicer the flesh, the thicker and more relished the final juice.

Mango smoothies combine the juice extract with other ingredients like Greek yoghurt, milk, cubed mangoes, bananas, and honey. This boosts the nutritional value of the drink, making it a better fit if you want a drink that’ll significantly increase your nutrient intake. 

To make mango juice at home:

• Peel the mangoes, slice the flesh away from the seed, and cut into chunks.
• Add mango chunks and water to a blender. Blend until smooth.
• Strain using a fine sieve or cheesecloth for a thinner, pulp-free juice.
• Taste and add a few drops of honey or lime juice if desired.
• Chill or serve over ice.

For mango smoothies:

• Gather your ingredients: mango juice, frozen mango chunks, frozen bananas, Greek yoghurt or milk, and honey or dates for sweetness.
• Add all ingredients to a blender.
• Blend until thick and creamy.
• Pour into a glass and serve chilled.

That’s it. You can sit back and enjoy this following a long day of work, while you decide on dinner options.

What Else Should You Know About Mangoes

Though high in natural sugars and thus demanding moderate consumption, mangoes are safe for all age groups and genders. They contain a pack of nutrients that can favor healthy growth. For instance, one serving of mangoes supplies pregnant women with folate, a water-soluble vitamin that’s essential for cell growth. This benefits both women and their babies.

Mangoes can also be dried to extend their durability. Dried mangoes, with reduced water content, retain key nutrients including antioxidants, vitamin C, fibre, vitamin A, and folate. This makes it a suitable snack alternative to keep at home, with some companies now packaging and selling this at affordable prices. When buying dried mango packs, avoid ones with sugar coatings or added sweeteners. Also buy packages where mango is the sole ingredient, like the Reelfruit Dried Mango snack on PricePally.

As long as you consume mangoes—whether as smoothies, mango juice, dried mangoes, or juicy Sheri mangoes—the benefits will improve your health and wellness in many ways.