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Do you know that there’s one fruit in Cebu that Cebuanos can’t live without? From malls, supermarkets, and small vendors on the sidewalk, mango madness has always been a part of the island’s culture, along with lechon, otap, rosquillos, and masareal.
If you’re a foreigner visiting Cebu for the first time, expect to see mango fruits everywhere. A variety of fruit is also available in different types. There’s Carabao mango, Pico mango, and Katchamita mango (also known as Indian mango).
Apart from that, Cebuanos also have other mango delicacies, like dried mangoes, where the mango pulp is dehydrated until it is dry and ready to pack for a tasty delicacy.
Are you ready to give yourself a treat with this delectable treat from Cebu? Continue reading and enjoy indulging yourself in this mango madness.
Different types of mangoes in Cebu and where to find them
As I mentioned earlier, there are three common types of mangoes in Cebu. Now, let’s discuss each of them and where to buy them when you’re visiting the Queen City of the South.
Carabao mango
Carabao mango ranks as the sweetest mango in the Philippines. In case you have doubts, the Guinness Book of World Records listed this sweet yellow fruit as the sweetest mango variety in 1995.
And if you’re wondering why it’s called “carabao mango,” well, the term “carabao” is derived from an animal (a water buffalo) native to the Philippines, the carabao, which was also named the National Animal, or Pambansang Hayop.
Apart from its sweet taste when perfectly ripe, the carabao mango is also characterized by its elongated shape and smooth texture. When the fruit is still young and unripe, its color will be green, and it can be eaten together with salt or uyap (shrimp paste).
However, the unripe Carabao mangoes are sour, and they would force you to make a face with each bite. Personally, I prefer to eat Carabao mangoes when they’re ripe.
The best places to find Carabao mangoes are on sidewalks, where small vendors sell them along with other fruits like oranges, apples, rambutans, bananas, and watermelons. However, also take into account that the mango season in the Philippines is from March until the end of June. During this time, you can see many mangoes being sold in supermarkets. What’s even better is that they’re cheaper, and you will have plenty of options.
Pico mango
Pico mango, or padero, is another widely cultivated mango in Cebu and the Philippines. Like the Carabao mango, this mango variety is also elongated in shape and can reach up to 12.5 cm. It is also sweet when fully ripe. However, the main difference between the two is that the Pico mango is a bit flatter than the Carabao mango. When ripe, its color is pale yellow.
This type of mango is also notoriously found on sidewalks and in merkados (public supermarkets), alongside other varieties of mangoes and fruits.
Katchamita mango
Finally, we have Katchamita mangoes (also known as Indian mangoes), which are very much popular with kids and students. Unlike the other two mango fruits, the Katchamita mango is smaller. They’re bulky and are best eaten when the pulp is yellow-green in color, not completely yellow. It also tastes good when paired with salt because it balances out the sour taste.
Apart from that, Katchamita mango is also a bit common, even when it’s not mango season. They’re perfect for treats and can be eaten at any time of the day when it’s convenient.
You can buy Katchamita mangoes for P5.00 to P10.00 ($0.090 to $0.18) a piece.
Other delectable mango delicacies
We Cebuanos love our mangoes so much that we create lots of delicacies out of them. Whether it’s just simple celebrations like birthdays or given as pasalubog, these two mango dishes are definitely a must-try if you haven’t tasted them yet!
Mango float
Mango float is a delectable dessert that is made of mango pulp, Graham crackers, and condensed milk. It looks like a layered cake and is best eaten after being taken out of the fridge. This dessert is not only popular in Cebu City but throughout the Philippines as well. You can have this dessert for birthdays, weddings, christenings, and even graduation celebrations.
Once you’ve taken a bite of this dessert, it will be very difficult to resist coming back for more. Mango floats are easy to make and worth every effort once you’ve tasted the fruit of your labor.
Dried mango
Unlike mango fruit, which must be eaten right away because it uses fresh and juicy mango pulp, dried mango undergoes a drying process where it is packed and commercially distributed for more extended consumption.
It is chewy and sweet, and is the perfect pasalubong for anybody. You can typically find dried mangoes in malls like SM, which is one of the biggest malls in Cebu City.
Final Thoughts
If it’s your first time visiting Cebu, don’t forget to indulge yourself in the mango madness and try out all three mango varieties. These mangoes are rich in vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A, C, and K, potassium, folate, and magnesium. Eating mangoes are also a perfect snack during the summer. Among other things, you should also definitely try mango float and dried mango to satisfy yourself in this mango madness!
