How my passion for Mango Variety and Tropical Fruit Started

Growing up in Cambodia, I developed a deep connection with nature from a young age. My mother often shares stories about when I was just two years old, climbing tall sugar palm trees to drink the sweet sap collected in buckets. Those high climbs, reaching about 20 to 40 feet, instilled in me a love for fresh, natural flavors.

Otis mango variety in box ready for the green market.

When my family relocated to the United States, we settled in Massachusetts. I have fond memories of exploring the neighborhood, climbing trees, and picking wild apples, mulberries, and cherries. Each fruit I discovered added to my growing appreciation for nature’s bounty.

In 1989, we moved to Florida, where the landscape exploded with tropical fruits I had never seen before. I remember being mesmerized by the abundance of coconut and banana trees, along with my beloved mangoes. Our first home in Florida was on a farm that supplied vegetables to the Cambodian community; I cherished those days of wandering the fields and climbing trees to gather ripe fruits to share with my family.

Some of my best childhood memories are those family trips to apple orchards, where we had the joy of picking our own apples. I also recall our visits to various places in Florida where we discovered sapodilla and longan trees. Though we didn’t find many pick-your-own farms, we enjoyed our trips to the Fruit and Spice Park in Miami, marveling at the diversity of fruit trees.

As I grew up, I saved money to buy an acre of land in the Royal Palm Loxahatchee area. My dream was to build a house and cultivate a variety of fruit trees. However, as property prices soared, we decided to transform that acre into a mango farm instead. We hoped that the housing market would eventually stabilize, but the reality was that the prices only continued to increase. This led to the decision to sell the farm during a prime time in the real estate market.

Now, I’m excited to share a new chapter in my journey: creating a website dedicated to all things mango—Mangopedia.org. In this space, I’ll explore everything I’ve learned about mango farming, including the numerous varieties and their unique flavors and traits. My goal is to provide a comprehensive database that helps others identify different mango types, especially for those interested in planting their own mango trees.

In my upcoming posts, I’ll share insights about my adventures with mango trees, including grafting techniques and my favorite mango varieties. I’m particularly passionate about green mangoes and will discuss their unique characteristics—some being sweet while others are sour, perfect for specific recipes like Thai sweet mango rice.

Today, on December 25th, 2025, as I write this, my six mango trees are starting to flower, including varieties like Nam Doc Mai and Kent. I look forward to documenting my daily experiences and sharing everything I’ve learned on this exciting mango adventure.

Stay tuned for more as we embark on this delicious journey together!