With so many delightful choices, selecting a single favorite fruit becomes nearly impossible for many. However, for me, there is one fruit that stands out from all others, not just for its taste, but for the cascade of memories and emotions it brings about. That fruit is the humble yet extraordinary MANGO. This tropical delight has been my favorite since childhood, offering a symphony of sweet, juicy, creamy, and green aromatic notes that are simply irresistible.
But what is it about mango, besides its incredibly delicious taste, that puts it in my number 1 spot for favorite fruit? Allow me to take you on a journey back a few years. I was born and raised in Brazil, and during my childhood, my family owned a fruit farm with over twelve types of fruit trees. We had apples, guavas, tangerines, oranges, wild berries, avocados, delicious pitanga and jaboticaba, and a couple others. We even had a cute, tiny kumquat tree, or Japanese orange, as we call it in Brazil! And, of course, mangos. We had three big, majestic, lush, abundant and graceful mango trees that served as a playground and a place for me to sit and spend time with nature.
For many summers, until my parents sold the farm, I would venture outside, cross the long path of fallen overripe fruits, and climb one of my favorite mango trees: Coração de Boi (Mangifera Indica), or Ox Heart Mango. Its name is given for its huge size and deep red color. It’s also popularly called Manga Maçã, or Apple Mango.
Mango trees offer perfectly low, thick, sturdy branches that make for an easy climb, and trust me, those branches could carry you close to heaven if you let your fear melt away and never looked down!! Imagine a seven-year-old, sitting high on the highest branch, about 15-20 meters off the ground, skinny legs dangling, biting and ripping through the flesh of the most delicious honeyed mango; juice dribbling down her chin, hands sticky from the pulp, and not a care in the world. No knives needed!! Those moments were more than a casual mango feast. It was a ritual - a communion with the universe. It was a chance for me to be alone and grateful for everything this planet has to offer. I was acutely aware of the beauty of creation even as a small child, and that mango tree became my refuge, my haven and my solitary place to enjoy the sweet and sublime wonders of nature.
The smells that enveloped me each time were enough to put me in a trance; warm, steamy sunlight, green and tangy mango skin, tree leaves, the thinner branches releasing their own woody aroma when snapped, sweet, sticky, pulpy fruit, earthy and moist soil and even the occasional rotten mangos that covered the ground - the trees produced way more mango than my family could eat so having overripe and rotten mangos scattered about was a natural part of it. These smells are forever etched in my memory, and every time I take a bite of a mango, my heart and mind travel right back to Brazil!
With such deep love for mangos, it’s only natural that my favorite fruity perfume note would also be mango. The allure of this fruit extends beyond the palate and into the realm of fragrances. The fruit's sweet, exotic scent has inspired many perfumers to capture its essence in their compositions, and it seems perfume lovers everywhere also cherish the mango note, whether it’s their favorite fruit to eat or not! Mango has made a significant impact in the world of niche perfumery over the past few seasons, and I can see why: this note introduces a creamy, sweet and tropical ambiance, yet its versatility allows it to evoke scents ranging from sweet and tart to buttery with an edible touch. However perfumers choose to utilize it, here are a few notable fragrances featuring the delightful note of mango that I, not only adore, but also highly recommend for spring, summer, beach days, warmer nights and everything in between:
Mango Skin by Vilhelm Parfumerie - one of my favorite mango fragrances! It opens with a vibrant burst of juicy mango, fresh blackberries, and a hint of spicy black pepper. Those first few minutes are extremely enveloping. It’s strong, yet light; sweet, yet fresh! Mango Skin has sort of a fresh, aquatic texture that makes it great for warmer days. This translucent quality is imparted by Lotus, while Jasmine and Orris bring a sophisticated floral elegance to the composition. Mango Skin has a delicious base of warm vanilla and pink sugar, which my gourmand lover heart appreciates, and an earthy and soft patchouli that creates a grounding and long-lasting olfactory journey. Fun, playful and just delicious!!
Sunplosion by Simone Andreoli, is a lively, vibrant mango fragrance that smells like a day on the beach, walking along the boardwalk, sun setting on the horizon but still plenty warm. You’re drinking a thick, fruity tropical cocktail, mini umbrella adorning the rim of the tall glass. Your loved one walks next to you and they’re blowing a big tutti-frutti bubble gum, bringing an extra dash of sweetness to the air! Sunplosion is bright, sweet and juicy, with notes of invigorating lime, tropical mango pulp, creamy guava, fresh coconut water, elegant and tangy hibiscus and soft sandalwood.
If you’re looking for a realistic mango fragrance with a sexy, dark edge, Mangonifiscent by Unique’e is the one to choose. It’s like taking a bite into a ripe, soft, honeyed mango just picked from a rustic wooden bowl. This fragrance features a strong, woody mango with a sophisticated floral aura and a base of sweet and ambery notes that ground the scent and extend its longevity to over 10 hours. I would recommend Mangonifiscent for spring and summer evenings when the temperature stays below 72o Fahrenheit as it can become a bit overpowering in very warm weather. Perhaps you're heading out on a date to a bougie seafood restaurant by the ocean and want to smell delicious yet refined (with a hint of fierce intensity!)
Another beautiful, grown up mango fragrance for those warm but breezy evenings is Ajayeb Dubai Portrait by Lattafa. Ajayeb starts with a green, tart top and a sweet herbaceous background. When compared to other mango fragrances, it’s darker, less sweet and a touch sour, akin to a mango that’s still a few days from being fully ripe, its insides firm and pale yellow. After the first few minutes, the peachy osmanthus and warm jasmine are immediately joined by deeper, darker notes of amber and oud, with sandalwood and musk providing a woody, polished finish. Ajayeb is an affordable yet captivating scent that embodies sophistication and allure, perfect for evening wear or cool, breezy spring days.
No “Mango” list would be complete without it, and no Brazilian could ever overlook this next gem: Carioca Heart by Jusbox. “Carioca” generally refers to someone or something related to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, whether we’re talking about its people, music or culture. Simply put, if you're Carioca, you're from Rio! Carioca Heart embodies the vibrant and charming streets of Copacabana, alive with the sounds of Samba, Bossa Nova, Jazz and Reggae. Its fresh, sweet, and juicy top notes of lemon, pineapple, and mango set the stage for a boozy yet creamy and slightly powdery heart of rum, sandalwood, and peony. This stage lingers on the skin like a veil, never failing to bring a smile to my face and evoke memories of those childhood days in Brazil! At its delicious base, a fluffy and enveloping vanilla is joined by deep labdanum, warm, airy Ambroxan, and Operanide—a note that imparts a beautiful, woody touch to the composition.
Carioca Heart is a lively, cheerful, happy fragrance that every Niche fragrance lover should try. If nothing else, it will give you a sense of what the streets of Copacabana smell like!!
With so many options out there, what is your favorite mango fragrance? And more importantly, what is YOUR favorite fruit, if you can possibly choose only one?
