The mango is not native to Jamaica, but originated in East India, Burma and the Andaman Islands bordering the Bay of Bengal. Legend has it that Buddha found tranquillity in a mango grove. Persian traders took the mango into the Middle East and Africa and from there the Portuguese brought it to Brazil and the West Indies.

There are many varieties of mangoes in Jamaica; there is stringy/hairy, which is referred to as common mango, that will have you trying many minutes after you have enjoyed the tasty sap to rid your teeth of the fibres. There are some mangoes, which are known nationally, and others that are common only to certain parishes.

These mangoes are called ‘common mango’ or ‘stringy’ because they grow abundantly in also every parish in Jamaica.

I am not a big fan of common mangoes. However, do eat a few, I sprinkle a tiny bit of salt on the mango and add a dash of black pepper to enhance the taste.

Other Mangoes in Jamaica     

Jamaican East Indian mangoes     

Jamaican Julie mangoes