Plant Database
Manila Mango Tree
Mango ‘Manila’
The Manila Mango is a tough, adaptable, and beloved classic, particularly valued for its superior cold tolerance and rich, spicy-sweet flavor. This variety produces smaller, oval fruit with thin, yellow skin and vibrant golden flesh that is creamy, fiberless, and bursting with a robust, complex flavor often described as spicy or turpentine-like—a trait cherished by mango aficionados. As one of the most cold-resistant mango varieties, it is a top recommendation for adventurous gardeners in marginal subtropical climates like Southern California.
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Highly prized for its exceptional cold tolerance, making it the best choice for cooler subtropical areas (like SoCal) where other mangoes fail.
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Flavor is rich, sweet, and complex with distinctive spicy/resinous notes characteristic of "Indian-type" mangoes.
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Flesh is deep golden-yellow, creamy, and essentially fiberless.
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Fruit is typically smaller and more oval than commercial varieties.
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A vigorous tree that requires well-drained soil and benefits from protection when young.
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Not a true commercial variety but a seedling type, often grown from seed, leading to some variation.
Flavor Profile:
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Flavor: Intensely sweet and rich with a unique, bold, spicy (sometimes called "turpentine") aroma and flavor that is highly aromatic.
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Texture: Creamy, smooth, and melting.
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Best Uses: A superb fresh-eating mango for those who love intense, classic mango flavor. Excellent for making chutney, preserves, and adding depth to smoothies.