From the lands of Southern Africa to the regions of Southeast Asia, via the fragrant islands of the Indian Ocean, the mango is a universally appreciated fruit, yet always interpreted locally. It is at once a local product, an ingredient of popular cuisine, and a living link between cultures.
From the sweet and melting mangoes of India to the tangy and fibrous varieties of Madagascar, the fragrant fruits of the Comoros or the generous mangoes of Thailand, each nation cultivates its own mango identity, with its own recipes, uses and seasons.
A fruit shared by Indian Ocean nations
In this vast region, mangoes are ubiquitous. They are harvested while still green to be made into spicy pickles in Zanzibar or Mumbai, grated for "lasary manga," a tangy and spicy salad popular in Madagascar, or cooked into sweet and savory chutneys in the Comoros or Réunion.
Each terroir gives birth to unique varieties:
- Fibrous or creamy
- Small or large
- Picked raw or tree-ripened
- Intended for pickles, desserts, juices, or artisanal fermentation
Where can you find these mangoes in France?
Although these countries seem far away, their mangoes and their artisanal preparations are found on French stalls, especially between March and August:
- Markets & exotic grocery stores
- Online stores & platforms
- Organic stores or supermarkets
Rediscover the mango in a different way
Acquiring these mangoes from the Indian Ocean means supporting family, artisanal, and agricultural sectors. But it also means rediscovering the mango in all its culinary diversity:
- In “lasary manga” (Madagascar): grated, with lemon, chili and ginger
- In sweet and sour pickles (India, Zanzibar, etc.)
- In spicy chutney (Sri Lanka, Comoros, Reunion, etc.)
- In fermented juice, or sun-dried mango (Yemen, Oman, Kenya, …)
Invitation to travel… without leaving France
Tasting a mango is like traveling through the climates, know-how, and ancestral traditions of an entire region. A single bite can tell the story of a season, a market, or a home.
The mango is an edible postcard from the Indian Ocean.
