Hilacha Mangoes
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Hilacha mangoes are typically a smaller varietal, averaging less than nine centimeters in diameter, and have a round to oblong shape, sometimes displaying slight tapering on the non-stem end. The fruit’s skin is semi-thick, smooth, and taut, showcasing prominent yellow lenticels scattered across the surface. The skin also ripens from dark green to shades of yellow-orange, blushed with dark red, crimson patches. The amount of red coloring will vary, depending on the exposure of the fruits to sunlight during cultivation. Underneath the surface, the golden yellow-orange flesh is firm, dense, and fibrous with some juice. The flesh also envelops a central hard seed that should be discarded during consumption. Hilacha mangoes have a rich, sweet flavor and can range in sugar content up to 21 Brix, varying with the season and cultivation conditions. The variety is known for its tropical, fruity, and subtly floral taste with turpentine, melon, and citrus nuances.
Seasons/Availability
Hilacha mangoes are available almost year-round in Colombia. The country has two main seasons, the first occurring from April to August and the second from November to January.
Current Facts
Hilacha mangoes, botanically classified as Mangifera indica, are a South American variety belonging to the Anacardiaceae family. The polyembryonic cultivar is considered a type of Creole mango in Colombia, meaning it has been grown in the country for centuries and has naturalized over time. Hilacha mangoes are also known as Hilaza, Mango de Puerco, and Brechoso, and the name Hilacha roughly translates from Spanish to mean “thread,” a descriptor for the variety’s fibrous flesh. Hilacha mangoes are traditionally grown from seed, and it takes between 6 and 8 years for the trees to mature to begin bearing fruit. The fruits are left on the trees to ripen and are hand-harvested for sale in fresh markets. Hilacha mango trees are productive and widely grown across Colombia. The variety is famous for its sweet, fruity juice and is also commercially produced as a mango for processing, sold locally and worldwide.
Nutritional Value
Hilacha mangos have not been studied for their nutritional properties. Mangoes, in general, are a source of vitamins A, B6, C, E, and K to maintain healthy organs, aid in faster wound healing, strengthen the immune system, and guard the cells against free radical damage. Mangos also contain minerals such as calcium and phosphorus to support bone and teeth health, potassium to balance fluid levels within the body, and magnesium to control nerve functions. Other nutrients include copper to assist the body in producing red blood cells, zinc to help with cell growth, and manganese to aid in cartilage formation.
Applications
Hilacha mangoes have a sweet and fruity flavor suited for fresh preparations. The variety is famous for its rich juice. In Colombia, Hilacha mangos are often rolled between the hands or squeezed until it softens, and then a hole is punctured into the fruit to suck out the juice. Hilacha mangoes can also be pressed or processed into juice as a refreshing beverage or mixed into smoothies, cocktails, and fruit punches. Try adding mango juice to preserves, pastes, and fillings for baked goods and desserts. While less common, Hilacha mangoes are sometimes consumed in their green state and are sliced or cubed into chunks and sprinkled with salt and spices as a crunchy food. A popular Colombian street food is mango biche, and green mango is served in various forms as an on-the-go, tangy, salty, sweet, and sometimes spicy snack. Hilacha mangoes pair well with cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, chili powder, and fruits like pineapple, coconut, and papaya. Whole, unopened Hilacha mangoes have a shorter shelf life than other Colombian cultivars and should be matured at room temperature. Once it has reached the desired maturity, it can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days or eaten immediately for the best quality and flavor.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Mangoes, including Hilacha, are annually celebrated through festivals held across Colombia. Many mango-growing regions host festivals to kick off the harvest season, and cities have public dances, live music, and fresh markets to attract visitors and gather the community. One of the most well-known mango festivals occurs in the municipality of Mahates in the Bolívar Department of Northern Colombia. The National Mango Festival was established over thirty-seven years ago and is a time that celebrates the region’s most important fruit. Sports and eating contests are held for the public during the festival, while vendors sell fresh fruits and homemade mango-centric goods. Chefs and local restaurants also prepare dishes with mango as the star ingredient to showcase the fruit’s versatility. The festival is an event to raise awareness surrounding mango diversity and the importance of locally grown fruits. Hilacha mangoes are often considered the best variety for juicing and are utilized for their refreshing qualities in festival food and drink.
Geography/History
Hilacha mangos are native to South America and are thought to have first appeared in Colombia. Mangos were introduced to Colombia by the Portuguese during the 18th century, and as the fruits were planted from seeds, new varieties would be naturally created, diversifying mangos across the country. Over time, specific mangos were selected for their favorable qualities and were commercially cultivated. Hilacha mangos are a widely adaptable variety and are planted across Colombia. They have also been found in Ecuador. Several selections of Hilacha mangoes are seen in local markets due to the natural variation created by growing trees from seed. Even with the slight differences between these fruits, they are categorized under Hilacha in markets to simplify the point of purchase. Hilacha mangoes are planted in home gardens, commercial orchards, and scattered throughout forests, and the fruits are sold domestically and exported for processing. In Colombia, the variety is found in all mango-growing regions. Colombia also exports Hilacha mangoes to the Middle East, parts of Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, and Canada. In 2023, the country struck a deal with American markets and is selling the fruits in the southeastern United States.
