West Australian Vista - Carnarvon Mango Plantations

Carnarvon Mango Plantations

Carnarvon, with a moderate, tropical climate and an abundance of ground water is the perfect location for growing mangoes and it is the second most important fruit, behind bananas , to be grown commercially in Carnarvon. The Carnarvon mango plantations use a sprinkler system for irrigation from water extracted from the underground aquifers in the Gascoyne River .

The most commonly grown mango in Carnarvon is Kensington Pride accounting for nearly 90% of all crops. The harvest season for mangoes in Carnarvon is between late December and early February and each season produces on average 1300 tonnes. Other production regions in Western Australia are in Gin Gin and Kununurra. Carnarvon Mango Plantations, Western Australia Australia produces an estimated 62,300 tonnes of mangoes which includes 48,700 tonnes of fresh produce and 13,600 of processed. The largest producers of mangoes is India with an estimated production of 24 million tonnes, accounting for between 50-60% of the annual world production. Other leading countries are China (3 million tonnes), Thailand (1.7 million tonnes), Mexico (1.5 million tonnes) and Pakistan (1 million tonnes).

Kensington Pride

The Kensington Mango was established in Australia when a Queensland customs officer obtained some seeds from a sailor in the late 1800's. He planted them on his property and a few years later, after having relative success, gave some of his better producing stock seeds to a friend, Mr McDonald. From McDonald's stock another local farmer Harry Lott, selected seeds from the more "stringless" of producing fruit. Here is where the name evolved. Harry planted the seeds in his orchard which was named "Kensington" in the late 1880's. It wasn't long before Harry had the best mangoes . They became extremely popular because they were far less stringy. These large bright orange fruits became highly sort after and Harry did his best to keep the stock to himself. Unfortunately for him it wasn't long before other growers got their hands on his seeds, any which way they could. Some farmers even went to some unfair means to obtain them! Soon the Bowen and Burdekin regions of Queensland were growing what became known as the Kensington Pride mango. Today they are the most popular variety of mango grown in Australia thanks to a sailor and a adventurous customs officer.

Facts About Mangoes

Mangoes are a species of fruit native to tropical Asia and are the most economically important fruit in the Anacardiaceae family. The Anacardiaceae family also includes the cashews, pistachio nut, poison ivy and poison oak.

The fruit of the mango is called a Drupe.

The mango tree (Mangifera indica) originated from Southern Asia around 2000BC and is thought to have first flourished in Burma and eastern India.

The name 'mango' is derived from the Tamil word 'mangkay' or 'man-gay'.

There are over 1000 varieties of Mango throughout the world.

In India mango leaves are used at weddings to ensure the couple bear plenty of children. Ironically it takes between four to six years before the mango tree will bear fruit (so I guess that leaf theory is questionable!).

Mango is called king of the fruits.

Mango is the world's most consumed and number one selling fruit in the world and Asia still accounts for more than three-quarters of the world's mango supply.

Mangos are high in fiber, but low in calories (approx. 110 per average sized mango) and only 1 gram of fat and sodium. They are also an excellent source of Vitamins A and C, as well as a good source of Potassium and contain beta carotene.

In India the spice amchoor (amchur) is made from dried, ground unripe mangoes. The sour spice is used as both a seasoning and tenderizing aid.

Choosing a mango is often done by picking the best coloured one. However it seems this isn't the best way. To pick the best one, simply squeeze the 'nose ' of the fruit, if there is a slight give then the mango is ripe. Another way is to give it a good sniff from the stem end, if you can small a fruity aroma its ripe.

Some people place a mango in a container or bag with an apple, to make it last longer.

Oh and one last thing, don't refrigerate the mangoes, they don't last long in the cold.

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