Mango, Queen of the Desert
You heard that right – we are getting MANGOES! For one day only, the queen jewel of Coachella Valley small farm produce will be available at the Palm Springs Indoor Market at the Pavilion. Wong Farms, one of our most local farms, has committed to bringing a portion of their luscious Keitt mango crop to the many fans who wait all year for the tropical sensation.
Patient Experimentation Yields Results
Debbie Chamberlain’s family spent 20 years planting many varieties of mango to find one that would thrive in the unique climate surrounding the Salton Sea in North Shore. As you can imagine, the process was not without frustration. Many trees failed miserably. Finally, the family’s patient experimentation yielded positive results. They determined that the Keitt and Valencia Pride mangoes had the hardiness and drought tolerance necessary to handle the dry climate and relentless sun of the eastern CV.
The Flavor of Paradise
And what about quality? You only have to quiz a customer who has joyfully participated in past years of our Mango Day celebration to know what a treat we are privy to. Keitt mangoes have a creamy, virtually stringless flesh, bountiful fruit and a sweet/tangy taste that has been described as “the flavor of paradise.” (OK, those are my words, but I get a vote, right?) The truth is that you just can’t get anything more emblematic of “local produce” unless you are fortunate enough to grow these babies in your backyard.
Fruit Celebrity
The truth is, Wong Mangoes enjoy a “je ne sais quois” mystique that goes way beyond the confines of our community. They’ve been written up in the L.A. Times and the fame spread through the most literal form of the expression “word of mouth” – chefs in Los Angeles can’t get enough of these beauties. When the crop is limited, as it was last summer, the commitments the Chamberlains made to culinary professionals up the I-10 meant we had to cancel CFM Mango Day. Sad face. But cheer up, desert dwellers! The downvalley fruit celebrity is headed your way, this Saturday, September 2nd! Prepare to be transported to mango Nirvana. We open at 8:00 a.m. and supplies are limited…
