Key Late Season Mango Varieties for a Bountiful Harvest

When considering mango varieties, late season varieties stand out due to their extended ripening period and consistent yield. This article explores two popular late season mangoes - Amrapali and Keitt - offering insights into their characteristics, uses, and potential for extending the mango season in your orchard or backyard.

The Dwarf Wonder: Amrapali

Amrapali is a well-renowned mango variety that has gained widespread popularity due to its late ripening nature and exceptional yield. Named after the eternal love in the Indian epic Mahabharata, Amrapali is not only a symbol of love but also a dependable choice for mango growers who value enduring productivity and quality.

Characteristics: Amrapali is a cross between Neelam and Dussehri, resulting in a unique blend of traits. This variety is known for its dwarf nature, making it ideal for small spaces such as home gardens and reducing the need for extensive pruning. Amrapali mangoes typically ripen between May and June, often continuing to yield fruit well into late spring. The fruits are large, with a sweet and creamy texture, and a golden yellow color when ripe.

Production: This variety's regular and extended yield make it a favorite among growers. Due to its manageable size and late ripening, Amrapali can be harvested over an extended period, ensuring a consistent supply of fruits throughout the late season. In addition, its high-quality fruit makes it suitable for both fresh consumption and commercial use, pleasing both home gardeners and professional orchardists.

Keitt: The Green and Pickled Delight

Another late season star, Keitt mangoes, are known for their distinctive green to pale red color and unique culinary uses. Originating from Florida, Keitt mangoes have become a favorite in tropical and subtropical regions for their versatile applications.

Characteristics: Keitt mangoes are large and robust, with a small pip, making them easy to eat and popular for fresh consumption. Their green to pale red color adds a vibrant touch to any fruit platter. One of the most notable features of Keitt mangoes is their high acidity, which is why they are often consumed unripe or used for pickling in Asian cultures. The fruit's firm texture and mild sweetness allow it to be enjoyed in its natural form or processed into jams, chutneys, and other culinary applications.

Culinary Uses: Due to their unique flavor profile, Keitt mangoes are versatile in the kitchen. They can be eaten fresh, pickled, or used in various recipes. In Asian cuisines, they are commonly used in chutneys, pickles, and desserts such as mango sticky rice. The firm texture of Keitt mangoes also makes them ideal for freezing, allowing you to enjoy their taste all year round.

Pros and Cons of Late Season Mango Varieties

While Amrapali and Keitt mangoes offer numerous advantages, it's important to consider their specific requirements and potential challenges.

Advantages: Late season mangoes like Amrapali and Keitt provide an extended harvest period, which can be particularly beneficial for mango growers. The extended ripening period ensures a longer fruiting season, allowing for multiple harvests and potentially increasing yields. Additionally, these varieties are known for their high-quality fruits, making them desirable in both local markets and international export.

Challenges: One of the key challenges with late season varieties is their ripening schedule, as they produce fruit late into the season when other mango varieties have already been harvested. This can create a dependency on careful time management for harvesting and marketing. However, the benefits of extended availability often outweigh these challenges.

Conclusion

Whether you're a seasoned mango grower or a beginner with a small garden, Amrapali and Keitt offer excellent late season options. Their late ripening nature provides a longer harvest period, consistent yields, and versatile uses. Both varieties are well-suited for home gardens, commercial orchards, and culinary enthusiasts. With the right care and management, you can enjoy a bountiful mango season with these delightful late season favorites.