Posts by Nissa
The Modern Margarita & Mango Pit Mixer
Ditch the triple sec, excessive salt and the eponymous Margarita glass! Nothing says authentic Mexico quite like a Margarita. Or does it? This potent “bebida” was invented somewhere near Rosarita (Northern Baja) in the early 1930’s for a B-list American movie star named Marjorie King. Marjorie was allergic to all hard alcohol except tequila and she…
Continue ReadingMango Caramel 3 Ways
Foolproof Caramel Recipes Using Mangoes: Salted (Classic), Faux and Tropical Vegan There is no one way to make caramel. The variances of technique, ingredients and measurements are ample. It’s really a matter of taste and personal preference that guide choices. And when it comes to caramel there is one overlying rule: practice makes perfect.
Continue ReadingRain: an Ally and Antagonist
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Imperfect Truth about Mangoes and Rain Mangoes are an imperfect fruit. Unlike the rest of the world, which is very used to seeing mangoes in all quality forms (the modern trend calls it “imperfect fruit”), Americans’ fruit cosmetic standards are very high and unrealistic. Not only does this…
Continue Reading“It’s Summertime and the Living is Easy”
And I’m told… It’s Gazpacho time! For me, that means mangoes. Today, the title to this post came into my social media feed in the form of an organic industry blog post (It’s Summer Time and Living is Easy). It came by way of my dear friend, organic produce colleague and cooking buddy, Melody Meyer.…
Continue ReadingSummer Fruit & Mango Hand Pies
My Herbal Fetish Mixes with Mangoes Love for fresh herbs dominates my life, everyone knows this. Herbs are my salt and a way for me to pull or push some of nature’s loveliest flavors. Fresh herbs offer me the extraordinary ability to create works of art by syphoning flavor and pointing essences, accenting nature’s best and…
Continue ReadingThe Keitt Mango
Late Season Vibrancy in a Big Package As we soar into August we typically roll out of the long Mexican mango season. Some years the period winds down at the beginning or middle of August, and some others go through until the beginning of September. This season the latter is expected, it starts as far down as Chiapas…
Continue ReadingSinaloa Hot Sauce (Mango Habanero Sauce)
The Kent Mango
All-Around Favorite Imported Mango In the height of peak Mexican mango season in Sinaloa, usually around July, we see the markets giddy with anticipation for the Kent mango. As more and more Mexican farmers continue to do away with other consumer-coveted varietals, the Kent is generally a welcome addition on both sides.
Continue ReadingA Secret Bathing Ritual in Mexico
Secrets & Lies From The Mango Pack House As consumers we don’t always get a feel for the realities beyond the display: the difficulties, challenges, and shocking amount of really hard work that goes into everything from pre-production to shipping across borders. There’s a lot of stuff no one ever talks about but is part of the…
Continue ReadingMexico’s Yellow Slipper
Ataulfo ~ Champagne ~ Yellow ~ Manila The Ataulfo, often seen referred to as a Champagne Mango (a name trademarked by a specific importer years back) or yellow mango, is known as Mexico’s “yellow slipper”, (after the slipper shape) as it is described in Spanish. It is one of the most coveted mango varietals available to…
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