There are a lot of luscious fruits out there, but mangoes are quite extraordinary, aren’t they? If you love them as much as we do, read on to discover 9 other fruits like mango to fall in love with.
1. Papayas
These tropical beauties are often served alongside mangoes, or mixed together with them in various recipes. Although their flavors are slightly different, they’ve very similar in texture. Both fruits have a silky, slippery texture to their flesh, which is gloriously juicy. Both of them taste as sweet as nectar when you eat them, and they’re wonderful in desserts and savory dishes alike.
If you want to cook with fresh papaya or mango, choose some fruits that are slightly underripe. These are more likely to hold their shape and firmness, rather than falling apart. In contrast, if you’re making a pudding or smoothie, go for fruits that are as ripe as possible. These will be the sweetest and most flavorful.
Related Article: What do Mangoes Taste Like?
2. Guavas
Have you ever tasted a guava before? They taste like a cross between mango and pear, and are absolutely divine. Most people have only tried guava juice, rather than the fresh fruit, but both are gorgeous in their own right.
You can use cooked guava in lieu of mango for recipes, or use the under-ripe flesh in savory dishes the same way.
3. Peaches
Some people can’t tell the difference between a slice of ripe peach and a slice of mango. These two have a surprisingly similar flavor profile, as well as similar texture. The peach has to be super ripe in order to taste like mango, however. When it’s underripe, it has a crispness that mangoes rarely have.
Peaches are ideal substitutes for mangoes in a variety of different recipes. Try them in smoothies, or even in spicy stir-fries with tofu and Asian vegetables.
4. Nectarines
Much like peaches, nectarines can be great stand-ins for mangoes. They have similar textures and flavors, especially since nectarines don’t have fuzzy skins like peaches do.
If you peel them and blanch them slightly, they taste almost indistinguishable from ripe mango. Use them in any recipe that calls for mango (or peach, for that matter) and you’re good to go.
Read This Next: What Fruits Go Well with Mango in a Smoothie?
5. Apricots
Since we’re on a roll with stone fruits, we need to have a talk about apricots.
Remember how ripe peaches (and nectarines) have a similar flavor and texture to mango? Well, add apricots to that list too. When they’re underripe, they’re tart and quite firm… but that changes exponentially when they ripen up. Then they’re soft and slippery (just like mango flesh) with a similar juicy, sweet, nectar-like flavor.
6. Passionfruits
Although passionfruits’ juicy innards are full of seeds, that flesh’s flavor has been described as “mango mixed with raspberry”. It has a slight acidic note that’s almost citrusy, but shares mango’s deep, rich sweetness.
Some people aren’t fond of how mushy or slimy the inner fruit is when eaten on its own. If you’re not fond of these kinds of textures either, then use the fruit in jam or in a smoothie instead.
7. Persimmons
Ripe persimmons are as silken and slippery as mango, with a similar musky sweetness. Their flavor tastes like mango mixed with peach, and has a slight honey-cinnamon note to it as well. If you love mangoes, then you’re absolutely certain to love persimmons as well.
They’re only available for a short window from late autumn to mid winter, so keep your eyes out for them. Also, make sure to only eat them when they’re really ripe. Underripe persimmons are quite astringent and can make your mouth pucker. You want them almost mushy, so their honey-like sweetness can really shine.
Related Article: Where are Mangoes Grown?
8. Cashew Apples
A lot of people love cashew nuts, but have no idea what they look like when they’re developing. The fruits that grow around them are referred to as cashew “apples” because of their shape and hue. These fruits are reddish-orange, and have soft, juicy, nectar-like flesh.
The main flavor note they offer is very similar to mango, but with slight hints of cucumber and bell pepper around the edges. Sounds rather fascinating, doesn’t it?
9. Jocote
These fruits are also called hog plums, mombins, and ciruelas, and are native to Nicaragua and other regions in South America. They’re related to cashew fruits, and you can tell they’re ripe when their hue shifts from yellow-green to rich orange-red.
Once fully ripened, they offer an incredible flavor that tastes like a mix of mango and plum. If you can find them at your local South American supermarket, make sure to try them! In fact, you can try your hand at making a traditional almibar recipe, which uses jocote fruits with mangoes, papayas, and various spices.
If you’re a die-hard mango fan, you may be feeling a bit suspicious as to whether these fruits like mango actually taste like the one you love. There’s really only one way to find out for sure though, right?
Taste the varieties you can find near you and decide for yourself whether they hit the mark or not!
Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!
