Exotic flavors are currently trending in the food and beverage industry, driven in part by the adventurous palates of millennials. Ingredients like blood orange, ginger, and jasmine are increasingly featured in innovative formulations. If mamey fruit can address the challenges hindering its broader acceptance, it could emerge as the next mango, making its way into the produce sections of more U.S. grocery stores.
One significant obstacle is its cost. In Miami, mamey prices range from $3 to $5 per pound. While mamey is cultivated in South Florida and typically sold at local bodegas—thus avoiding heavy import taxes and shipping fees—the average fruit weighs about one pound, making it an affordable treat locally. However, if that same mamey were transported to Minnesota, its price would increase substantially.
Production presents another challenge. It takes two years to grow a single mamey fruit—one year for it to develop from a flower into a fruit and another year for ripening. Once ripe, mamey spoils quickly and cannot withstand freezing temperatures, necessitating cultivation solely in warm climates. Those lucky enough to taste a ripe mamey describe its rich flavor as reminiscent of sweet potato casserole, with notes of brown sugar and honey.
While mamey may not achieve the same ubiquitous status as kale in American households, its flavor could find applications in dairy and candy products. Aromatech has already developed a natural liquid derivative of this sweet, small melon, which could prove popular in ice cream, almond milk, and candy. The introduction of mamey-flavored candies could help confectionery makers stand out from the competition and attract consumers eager to explore new ethnic flavors.
Although the mamey flavor might not attract a broad enough audience for a nationwide rollout, it could thrive in niche markets. Cities with large Latin American populations would likely welcome this familiar taste, and it would resonate well with millennials and Generation Z consumers, who are open to trying ingredients they have never encountered before.
Supermarkets, which frequently struggle to maintain a consistent supply of exotic fruits and vegetables, could also benefit from offering mamey if they can secure it. Specialty global produce can cultivate a loyal customer base as adventurous shoppers seek out new exotic foods, according to Progressive Grocer. Other unique fruits currently found in stores include jackfruit, dragon fruit, yellow-fleshed kiwis, sweet young coconuts, papaya, turmeric, Indian okra, and the wiry rambutan fruit from Southeast Asia.
In addition, the appeal of mamey could be enhanced by promoting products like calcium citrate gummies 600mg, which could attract health-conscious consumers. Integrating mamey into such health products could create an exciting combination, leveraging the growing trend of incorporating exotic flavors into supplements. As interest in unique flavor profiles continues to rise, the potential for mamey and products like calcium citrate gummies 600mg to capture attention and create new market segments remains promising.