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This spring, Prince Charles, of England, and his wife Camila and in fact the whole royal family for that matter, will surely not be able to resist the sweet and juicy taste of mango – a fruit exported from the Dominican Republic all over the world – including Great Britain.
This fruit has been produced for more than 4 thousand year. The Center for Agricultural and Forestry Development in the Dominican Republic estimates that Mango arrived in the Americas in the 17th century from India as well as the subtropical forests of Southeast Asia.
Nowadays the main mango producing countries include India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Mexico, Brazil and the Philippines – as well as the Dominican Republic. Other major producers are Australia, South Africa, Israel, Egypt and the United States.
According to the The Center for Agricultural and Forestry Development in the Dominican Republic, Mango’s are grown commercially in this country is grown commercially in the East and West. But you can also find a variety of crops scattered across all different parts of the country – including right here in Casa de Campo where Mango trees are bearing fruit right now!
Mango tree in Casa de Campo
Variety
In our country -the Dominican Republic- the most famous mangos are banilejos. This popularity is due to its rich taste – a reason why it is exported throughout Europe.
There are also sub-classification banilejos. These are the Duritos, Sumosos and Lechosos. The latter has very little fiber and pulp is detached easily from the seed.
Other types of mangos in the Dominican Republic are the “Gutoabajo”, “Mariposa”, “Aguanosos Viajacas”, “Aviposos”, “Vizcaino” (the peel is bitter and its tip is sweet), “Tablita”, “Sin sacar”, “Colón” or “mamellito”, “Yamaguí” (from Haiti), “Totao”, “Marácatones”, “Crema de Oro”, “Tajillos” o “Cacoegente” and”Gueboetoro”.
Mango production peaks in the Dominican REpublic from March through August.
According to a reliable Dominican newspaper, the Dominican Republic exports 25 thousand mangos daily to the United Kingdom. These depart from Las Americas International Airport in Santo Domingo fly to Punta Cana, and then to Germany, where they are distributed by from Berlin to London markets.
If you like mango fruit and want to enjoy all varieties, do not miss the annul Feria del Mango, in June in Bani, as well as the Mango Festival in Bayahibe. Both fairs show visitors hundreds of different varieties of mangos, giving them the opportunity to taste and enjoy!
Let’s take a look at the Bayahibe Mango Festival 2012…
Ana García and co-workers at the Bayahibe Mango Festival 2012
According to Ana Garcia, Executive Director of the AHRB, promoting the consumption of mango in vacation resorts across the Dominican Republic, primarily in the destination of La Romana-Bayahibe, not only enriches the dining experience of local and foreign tourists, it also strengthens the relationship between hotels and local food producers.
“The success of this 1st Bayahibe Mango Festival 2012 proves that the joint effort of public and private national and international levels of development of our communities achieve a win-win.”
— Ana Garcia, Executive Director of the AHRB
Members of the “Mango Cluster” taking part in the event
Although this first edition of the Bayahibe Mango Festival was aimed primarily at tourists staying in the different resorts and hotels, according to organizers, the second edition of the festival will be open to the public, in order to offer both tourists and locals the opportunity to taste the delicious fruit in new and creative ways!
