Here’s another fruit I grew up with that haven’t seen very often in the U.S., mamey. What is mamey? it is a fruit the size of a big potato with a hard, leathery, brown skin that grows in big trees (some of them reach 40 feet high). The flesh of the fruit is pink/salmon in color and creamy. If you ask me I would say that it is a sweeter version of avocado, but some people say that it tastes like pumpkin, only richer and sweeter.
How do people eat mamey? Although it is original to southeast Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, I don’t remember it being very popular in Mexico City. The most common way to eat mamey there, that I remember, is in milkshakes and ice creams. However, I’ve read that many people eat it raw out of hand. I personally don’t like it very much like that, but I love mamey milkshakes. The smell and flavor of a mamey milkshake is a very delicious experience.
Yesterday when I was at the Mexican market, a very familiar and delicious aroma that filled my noistrils guided me to where this guy was waiting for me. I knew I wanted to make a milkshake and maybe a gelato with it, but I eneded up using half of it in a cake. I was in the mood to bake a cake and and the result was amazing. I will post the recipe later this coming the week along with whaever else I decide to use the other half of my mamey in. But for now enjoy this beatiful view.
¡Buen provecho!
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Vicki
What an interesting fruit! I’ll have to check out the Mexican markets to see if I can find one. But with my luck, I’ll probably be allergic to it.
Ivy
First time I’ve heard of it. There are so many things in this world we do not know of. Isn’t this strange? Thanks for letting us know Ben.
Núria
Hola Ben! Mi primera vez también. I never saw, ate, tasted it. I wish we could cybertaste and cybersmell… maybe one day that will be possible ;D I’ll keep tunned to see what you come out with your mamey!
Maryann
Sorry Ben..but I keep singing “mamey..how I love ya, how I love ya, my dear old mamey”..haha
Dell
Ben I’ve never heard of it, love the colour tho & it does look like an avacado. looking forward to seeing what you make with it! oh & now I keep singing mamey too
joan nova
Looking forward to seeing that mamey cake and wishing I could taste it.
Maryann – glad you enjoyed your little song (it made me laugh), but it’s pronounced Mam-A (hard A).
kat
wow, thanks for introducing me to something new
courtney
I just purchased some frozen Mamey. I like saying that. I have never tasted it.
Its funny this commenter named Ben said he was swinging through and would I like to meet on Monday. You are the only Ben I know. When I clicked on the link the profile was blocked. Sorry for the confusion.
Adam
Oh Mamey is a fruit… I was thinking we were going to talk about moms today
Thanks for the quick fruit lesson. I’ve never seen one of those in the US, but I’d be willing to try it, especially in a milkshake form. Milk shake anything tastes awesome.
Jen of a2eatwrite
That is so cool – never heard of it before! I’ll have to check out our Mexican markets, because if it’s in season in Columbus, I’m guessing it’s here in Ann Arbor, too.
Anne Lossing
Hi Ben,
That fruit is prevalent here in the jungles of northern Guatemala, only here they are called zapote or sapote. I find the taste quite reminiscent of not only pumpkin, but of pumpkin pie, and for that reason, the only thing I have actually cooked with it (yes, we eat it raw usually) is a pie, and it was super delicious.
Allen
I’ve never heard of this before but it looks good, like an orange avocado! You shouldn’t tease us like this though … make us something wonderful with it!
Bellini valli
I always say I learn something every day from blogging Ben:D
Bellini valli
I always say I learn something every day from blogging Ben:D
Bellini valli
I always say I learn something every day from blogging Ben:D
Bellini valli
I always say I learn something every day from blogging Ben:D
Bren
oh how u love to bite!
same with tamarindo. I was very sad.
isn’t the best. unfortunately, while i was in Mexico two weeks ago, In only found ice cream one time and nothing else
Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)
I see mamey at the local Caribbean market, but never know what to do with it. Looking forward to your recipes!
Mikky
interesting… never tried one…
sugar2
hola ben,
this is a neat site–i’m enjoying your broad perspective!
mamey IS an unusual fruit, and even here in FL can be hard to find if you aren’t in the South FL area. friends from cuba have said that it is temperamental to grow, being so susceptible to cold, so that it can hardly be grown as far north as miami!
so the only real taste i get of mamey is an occassional milkshake when in SBeach. I’ve heard rumors of frozen bags of chunked mamey, but never seen it myself. it’s a different flavor, but if anyone sees it out, give it a try, it’s tasty and unforgettable!
–s2
Christina
Right, I want one of those milkshakes!
Ryan
Thanks for the link! I don’t think you can get them in the uk! Looks interesting though.
toontz
I love your blog, Ben, and this is the main reason—I get an education every time I visit! I would love to try and track this down some time (maybe frozen?) and give this fruit a try. It sounds wonderful.
Natashya
I have never heard of mamey before. I would love to try it one day. I would take your word for it and put it into a shake or gelato.
I learn so much from you!
senses&nonsenses
Ben, no puedo entrar a tu blog. siempre me ha costado un poco entrar en tu blog, que soy muy bestia informáticamente, pero ahora no encuentro tu blog.
ya me ha costado entrar aquí, no te creas, jajajaja
espero que estés muy bien
cuídate
un abrazo.
Sam
Hmmm that’s new one on me! Looks interesting, if I ever see one I’ll buy it!
Julie Williams
Did you ever put up your recipe for the cake you made out of the mamey?
Julie Williams
Also I am looking for recipes that use cashew fruit and guanabana any help would be WONDERFUL.
THANK YOU
Julie
aleena
there is a fruit in india just like mamey,it's called Chiku, it looks the same, but it is a little smaller in size,I don't know if the taste is the same cause i've only tried the indian one.
Iliana
please send cake recipe for mamey and gelato i love mamey and i love to et it out of shell it taste the to me but thats me second comes in milkshakes.
Manny
Man I remember myy mom making mamey milkshakes!