Secrets & Lies
I don’t like to be called “Honey”
…and neither does the Ataulfo Mango I can’t tell you how many times I have been called Lisa, Melissa, Alissa, and, even, Carissa when various adults have had to read my name, Nissa, aloud. The very existence of the name Nissa (pronounced Niss like kiss with the soft “a” pronounced like uh = Niss–uh) baffles…
Continue ReadingStained Facts in Oaxaca
The complexities of facts and slow to move information in mangoes Over the years I have had my own ideas about mango quality. I thought I understood the major problems affecting the “king of fruits”, specifically the varietals with which I worked and the countries they were from. Since I traveled to the depths…
Continue ReadingMother Nature Strikes and Unexpected “Blow” in Oaxaca
Heavy, Unexpected Winds Challenge Crop Outlook From Oaxaca Region Two days ago heavy winds swept through Oaxaca in the southern regions of Mexico centered heavily in mango production zones. Many of the early mangoes expected to be harvested for January and February have literally been ripped off the trees for several producers in the area…
Continue ReadingBehind the Season
Fickle fruit and empirical crop forecasting Behind every great season, lies a great deal of unseen work, especially in the off-season where mainly the “unpredictables” determine the outcome of the crop. In today’s world where climate change exists (it’s not a hoax) and capricious weather becomes the norm, an empirical approach to understanding agriculture is…
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 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…
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