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Mangoes are not usually thought of as a meal (although I have
been known to eat a mango or two as my breakfast,) but the ones
I have come to know in Thailand are my favorite food in the
entire world. I just read on the net that there are almost 300
species of mango, and I can tell you from experience that not
all mangoes are created equal. I haven't tried all 300 species,
but what I can tell you is that I have found nothing as sensuous
and succulent as what the Thais call "Ma Muang Nam Dok Mai"
(pictured above.) Since there are so many varieties of mango, be
sure they have the right shape and color. Thais seem to like
them ripe and juicy, which might make it a bit tricky to find
them just the way I like them. The mango in the picture above,
for example, is much too ripe for me. By the time they get this
ripe, most of the flavor is gone. I find them exploding with
flavor if you get them just a few days green, or what the locals
would describe as "brio waan" (sweet and sour.) To me, there is no other
food like it on the entire planet! The easiest way to eat them
is to slice down each side of the long flat seed and spoon out
the two halves. You can then peel the skin off of the seed and
just hold it with your hands and eat it like an apple (but
watch, you might find the juice running down your wrist!) Prices
really vary. I used to be able to buy them for about 30 baht a
piece all year round on Phetkasem Road in the Om Yai district.
Now you will be lucky if you can find them for 120 baht per
kilo. Buying them from one of the night markets is probably your
best bet. Four consecutive times I was fooled by the mangoes in
Tops Supermarket. It seems they are created to look absolutely
perfect, but in fact were so bitter that I could not even eat
them. Picking the pefect mango takes some experience, and even
then, sometimes you need luck. (next page)
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