The Honey Mango Is One of Our Favorite Fruits—Here's What Makes It So Special

You might have seen an intriguing little fruit labeled honey mango in the produce section of your local grocery store. But before you commit to buying and trying it, you probably want to know if it lives up to its name—does this fruit really taste like honey and is it sweeter than other mangoes? Here, we explain what a honey mango is—and if it's worth slicing into.

What Is a Honey Mango?

You can spot a honey mango at the store even without a sign proclaiming its name: The small, flattened, oblong mango has skin that turns a golden yellow and wrinkles slightly when ripe.

It should not be confused with mango honey, which is honey made by bees from the pollen of mango trees—or honey infused with mango juice.

Taste and Texture

The honey mango variety is prized for its creamy, sweet taste and velvety texture; it is considered one of the finest types of mango. It doesn't have a fibrous texture and its pit is thin.

Availability

Honey mangoes are available in grocery stores from March through July.

The History of the Honey Mango

The honey mango was and is known in Mexico as the Ataulfo mango, named for Ataulfo Morales Gordillo, the mango grower who originated it in the state of Chiapas. You might have bought the mango as an Ataulfo in your local grocery story until 2017, when the National Mango Board started marketing the fruit as a honey mango in the U.S., reasoning that name was easier for American consumers to say (and more tantalizing, too). The sweet fruit is also called a yellow mango, baby mango, or champagne mango. 

That last name is perhaps a reflection of how proud Mexico is of the honey mango. The Mexican Institute of Industrial Property has protected the variety, similar to how the French protect the use of the term Champagne. (Another reason for the name? Honey mangoes are considered the Champagne of mango varieties). In addition to Mexico, honey mangos are grown in Ecuador and Peru.

Honey Mango vs. Other Mangoes

There are many different mango varieties, most of which we don't see in our grocery stores. As for how the honey mango differs from the rest? We can generalize a little: Honey mangoes are smaller, have a higher flesh to pit ratio (meaning the pit is smaller), and have fewer fibers in their flesh.

The Best Ways to Enjoy Honey Mango

We heartily endorse enjoying a honey mango as is. One mango packs 100 percent of your daily vitamin C needs, as well as a rich dose of daily fiber and vitamin A. We love it for it's sweet, juicy taste and adaptability. When we tire of eating it on its own, we add it to smoothies, make a lunchtime salad (or a spicy, juicy snack), or turn it into a three-ingredient dessert. Another favorite is our Mango Guacamole.