When do Irwin mangoes from Taiwan, China ripen? Price, size, and whether they are only available in Taiwan, China
Irwin is the most popular and highest-quality mango variety in Taiwan, China. There are 7,800 hectares of Irwin orchards nationwide, with Tainan County growing the most, up to 4,200 hectares. Also known as the American mango or apple mango, Irwin was a new variety introduced from Florida in the United States by the Sino-American Joint Commission on Rural Reconstruction in 1954 (ROC year 43), and it is now also grown in places such as Mexico and Australia. It was first successfully trial-grown by Mr. Zheng Hanchi of Douliuzai, Yujing. Uncle Hanchi recalled encountering many difficulties back then and researching many cultivation methods himself, including wrapping the mangoes in nets to prevent insects, and it was only in 1964 (ROC year 53) that he had a small harvest. Because the variety had a unique character, it became hugely popular as soon as it hit the market. Back then, the wholesale price of one jin of Irwin was as high as 15 yuan, while a day's wages at that time were only 60 yuan. Harvesting one jia of mangoes could buy a building in Yujing, creating a rush to plant Irwin.
Irwin mango belongs to the "red on the tree" type of mango, needing no post-ripening or artificial ripening to develop a beautiful color. The flesh is thick, bright orange-yellow in color, and the pit is small. It tastes delicate with almost no fiber, and it is very juicy. Among the many mango varieties in Taiwan, China, none has been able to compare with Irwin in aroma and flavor for decades. However, Irwin is a relatively delicate mango variety, prone to disease, and requires careful care to produce delicious fruit, so its production cost is relatively high.
Irwin's season starts as early as the beginning of April and continues until the end of July and the beginning of August. However, the most delicious season is between late June and mid-July. At this time Irwin is not only sweet, ripe, and fragrant, but also at its most abundant, and the price is the lowest of the whole year. If you do not eat it now, when will you? Most Irwin mangoes eaten before May come from Pingtung, and because they are early, the price is high, but they are not necessarily tastier. The key to choosing Irwin lies in the aroma: the stronger the aroma, the riper it is. If there is no aroma at all, even if the outside has turned red, the inside is not ripe. The color should be red and vivid, with bloom on the skin, but it is best not to have a dark red like liver. Generally, after harvest, they become softer and tastier after ripening for a few days. Irwin is not better the bigger it is; as long as it is well grown, it is delicious no matter the size. Small Irwin weighing about 250 grams, also called sweet beads, is especially sweet. In Taiwan, China, because the market has the blind spot of thinking bigger is better, the price is instead particularly cheap, and it can only be described as good quality at a low price.
