Mango season is upon us — a time of love, admiration and even patience. The season is marked by the first blossom. Yes, it’s very serious. Almost all Jamaican backyards have at least one fruit tree and in most cases more than one, but that one fruit tree is usually a mango tree. However, if your back/side/frontyard lacks a mango tree, your neighbor has one. The unique thing about mango trees in Jamaica is that they have eyes — meaning, at any given time, any one owner knows when a mango goes missing. In season, mangos are plentiful, yet covenant property. I like to call it a ritual of seasonal mango estate planning. The harvest is carefully rationed amongst household family members, relatives, neighbors and then close friends. First you take notice of your blossoms; how big is your harvest? How big is your household and how many days do you want to enjoy a mango during the season? Also, how likely are you to receive a share of another’s harvest? The most important of them all is what mango variety is a part of your estate? This determines your sharing power and distribution generosity.
According to the University of the West Indies, Jamaica has seventeen (17) mango varieties. The king and queen of the varieties are St Julian (“Julie”) and East Indian. The next 14 varieties range from being great to ok. Last on the scale, is the “hairy” variety. If this is the only fruit tree of your estate, you have no trading power, which means you’ll buy, beg, and hope to be blessed upon by your neighbor’s kindness for the entirety of the season. The name says it all – hairy – gross! I’m a Julie, it’s meaty, sweet, succulent and I can enjoy a whole fruit without the need to floss immediately afterwards. However, if the choice is to have no mango, or heaven forbid, a “Hairy” then I can and will be an East Indian. While it wouldn’t be my first choice, I wouldn’t say “no” either. However, you must know that Julie people and East Indian people are different sets of people, no scientific data required, these are just the rules of the estate.
Another interesting thing about enjoying mangoes in Jamaica, is that they are mostly enjoyed whole and with nothing added. No salt, lime and cayenne pepper; not in a meal and hardly ever in a fruit salad. It stands alone and forever present in its season. Mango season is a flavorful and favorable mood lifter, giving us something to look forward to, to enjoy while it’s here and provide shared memories until next time. I might not remember the first bite of all the Julies I’ve had, but I remember the scent of air of the first blossom, the vendors who sold the best picks and when a loved one remembered to share their harvest with me. Best joy of all, the season is within one’s reach — and that’s being present — as it’s something we all already possess. Now, go and enjoy wisely.
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