Exotic flavors are currently trending in the food and beverage industry, largely driven by millennials’ adventurous taste preferences. Ingredients like blood orange, ginger, and jasmine are increasingly appearing in innovative formulations. If mamey fruit can address certain obstacles that have hindered its broader acceptance, it may emerge as the next mango, making its way into produce sections of more U.S. grocery stores.
One significant challenge is its cost. In Miami, mamey prices range from $3 to $5 per pound. Since the fruit is cultivated in South Florida and frequently sold at local bodegas, there are no substantial import taxes or shipping fees involved. On average, each fruit weighs about one pound, making it a reasonably priced occasional treat locally. However, if that same mamey were to be transported to Minnesota, its price would increase dramatically.
Production is another hurdle. It takes two years to cultivate one mamey fruit—one year for it to develop from a flower into a fruit and another for it to ripen. Once ripe, mamey spoils quickly and cannot endure freezing temperatures, necessitating its growth exclusively in warm climates. Those lucky enough to find a ripe mamey describe its flavor as decadent and reminiscent of sweet potato casserole, complete with notes of brown sugar and honey.
While the fruit may not achieve kale-like popularity in American households, its flavor could find a place in both dairy and candy products. Aromatech has already developed a natural liquid derivative of this sweet melon, which shows promise as a popular flavor in ice cream, almond milk, and candy. Introducing a mamey-flavored candy could allow confectionery producers to stand out in a competitive market, appealing to curious consumers eager to explore new ethnic flavors.
The mamey flavor might not resonate widely enough to justify a nationwide launch, but it could carve out a niche market. Cities with significant Latin American populations are likely to respond favorably, as the taste would be familiar to them. Additionally, millennials and Generation Z consumers, who are open to trying unfamiliar ingredients, could be drawn to mamey.
Supermarkets, often facing challenges in maintaining a steady supply of exotic fruits and vegetables, could benefit from offering this unique item if they can source it. Specialty global produce can foster a loyal customer base, as adventurous shoppers seek out new exotic foods, according to Progressive Grocer. Other unique fruits 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.
On a different note, some consumers may wonder, “does calcium citrate cause gas?” While this question pertains to dietary supplements, it reflects the growing interest in how various foods and ingredients affect digestive health. Integrating exotic flavors like mamey into the market may also lead to discussions about their impact on digestion, including whether certain components, like calcium citrate, contribute to gas. As the market evolves, both exotic flavors and health-related inquiries will shape consumer preferences and choices.