Can I not buy it out of season?
It is listed as Main season Mar–May. It is available all year round, but quantity and price can change with the season and variety. The calendar does not guarantee that the fruit is on sale on any given day.
Mango
Mango · มะม่วง
If you want something sweet in Thailand, try a ripe mango. Varieties such as Nam Dok Mai are known for soft, fragrant yellow flesh. If you have had mango sticky rice, eat the fruit on its own and notice the taste of the mango itself. There are also kinds of unripe mango that are eaten crunchy and sour.
Mangos - single and halved · Ivar Leidus · CC BY-SA 4.0
Resized for display · Photo provided under CC BY-SA 4.0
When is the best time to eat it?
Main season Mar–May
Listed as available all year round
Nam Dok Mai Si Thong of Phitsanulok: season listed as Mar–Jun
Use the main season, or the season of a regional fruit, as a guide. Actual availability can vary with growing area, variety and weather.
What does it taste like?
Ripe mango has a soft, sweet taste. Some green mango varieties are eaten for a texture different from ripe mango, so you need not assume that every green one is unripe just by its colour.
Why this fruit is known in Thailand
Thailand has several mango varieties, such as Nam Dok Mai and Maha Chanok, and a food culture that enjoys ripe and green fruit in different ways. It is also familiar as the topping of a sticky rice dessert, so it is a fruit worth tasting on a Thai trip.
Basics to know before you buy
- Thai name
- มะม่วง
- Season
- Main season Mar–May
- Regional fruit
- Nam Dok Mai Si Thong of Phitsanulok: season listed as Mar–Jun
- How it is sold
- If you want sweet, soft mango, say that you are looking for ripe mango. Crunchy mango can also be sold separately. The price unit differs between buying whole fruit by the kg and buying a pack of sliced fruit.
How to peel and eat it
- Wash whole fruit and cut off the flesh on both sides of the stone.
- Cut the flesh into bite-sized pieces and eat it as it is, or enjoy it with mango sticky rice.
- If you want to buy some to eat now and some to take away, choose the ripeness together with the seller.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare a per-kg price with a per-pack price?
If you want sweet, soft mango, say that you are looking for ripe mango. Crunchy mango can also be sold separately. The price unit differs between buying whole fruit by the kg and buying a pack of sliced fruit.
Keep exploring
Official sources and references
If you want to read more about these dishes and regions, these sources are a good place to start. Ingredients and cooking methods can differ from one eatery to another.
Sharing image credit: Ivar Leidus · CC BY-SA 4.0