Mangoes at the Moana

Early this month, I was very fortunate to be part of the "Mangoes at the Moana" 2nd annual event - the best mango tasting contest.  I was one of four judges, we had to taste and evaluate 17 mango entrees.  These entrees were from home growers, mango botany specialists and local commercial farmers.

The "Best Mango Judging Criteria" had six categories:

• Flavor
• Texture
• Skin Color
• Aroma
• Flesh Color
• Proportion of flesh to seed

You would think that some of the mango entries would all be pretty similar, surprisingly they were not.  Each mango had their own specific characteristics, distinct flavor, texture & aroma.  Take for instance, texture - smooth, stringy, juicy, firm or creamy.

This experience was a lot of fun and very heartwarming for me.  I was in heaven - I was able to go back in time.  Growing up here in Hawaii, mangoes and "Mango Season" were very memorable and important to my childhood.  With a handful of these mangoes, with their different aromas, textures and flavor, I was able to go back to specific memories of my childhood.  Whether it was playing under my elementary friend's mango tree in Moiliili, baking mango bread in our Kanunu apartment, being on my friend's garage rooftop picking mangoes by the University Stream or making mango granita on Wilhelmina Rise....mangoes have a really warm spot in my heart.

Here are pictures of the 17 mango entries and the judging.  And some really awesome pictures of the mangoes that grow here in beautiful Hawaii.

 Which one do you think won the mango tasting contest?  Please submit your answers in the comment section....

Who ever thought there are so many varieties of mangoes - I never knew.

The winning mango was juicy, creamy, silky w/ no threads and had a hint of coconut - yummy!

All four judges picked the same mango!