While most of the country has just heralded the “official” arrival of summer with Memorial Day celebrations, we here in the Keys have a special harbinger of the languid months to come.  As  temperatures and humidity levels creep upward, they spur the ripening of a uniquely tasty and eagerly awaited annual tropical treat:  Mangoes!!!  

Our friends, Jim and Linda, recently built an addition to their home, which proved to have an unexpected surprise.  A clerestory window under the roof peak in the new indoor-outdoor living room frames an evergreen view of the high branches of their neighbor’s mango tree. So, throughout the winter months, we marveled as we were treated to gracious hospitality, good wine, and a succession of observations that we’ll call “Mango 101”. 

We have had an especially dry winter, which tends to stress the trees and make them produce prolifically.  The first flush of bloom came early in the year.   A halo of shaggy flowering bracts soon gave way to long, naked stems that made the entire treetop bristle.  Next came the young fruit that was somewhat comical in appearance — like tennis balls stuck onto the ends of long spikes.  As winter turned to spring (yes, we really DO have seasons here!), the “spikes” started to droop under the weight of the developing fruit, ultimately transforming themselves into long, down-turned stems, with a perfect, seductively tantalizing orb at the end of each one. 

This week, the ripe mangoes began to drop, blanketing the ground. (Funny – on the tree they had a purple hue; in hand, they shade from a luscious golden yellow to, well … mango color.)  Now, mangoes don’t have a long “shelf life”, so the neighbors began giving them away.  And because Jim and Linda received so many, they shared the bounty with us. 

Best of all, they are the special variety that only ripens early in the season.  Even-textured, unbelievably sweet, and heavenly scented, they will spoil you for other varieties. They may even turn you into a Mango Burglar (ask Allen about how to convert your pool net to a harvesting tool!).  Unlike their larger, mid-to-late summer cousins that can be stringy and sometimes have very little taste, these mangoes are the Real Deal!

In India, its indigenous home, the Mango tree plays a sacred role.  It is a symbol of love.  Some even believe that it can grant wishes.  We are wishing for a long season for this particular tree.  As long as the generosity of its owners and our friends continues, Tropical Inn guests will be treated to fresh mangoes, mango bread, mango salsa, mango tarts, mango compote …