From tree to trolley: The journey of Calypso® mangoes
Ever wondered how the fresh produce in your supermarket reaches your plate? This series takes you behind the scenes to explore the care and processes that ensure you enjoy the freshest fruits and vegetables.
At Perfection Fresh, we value our relationships with growing partners, aiming for excellence, reliability, and trust—because that’s what brings you the very best produce Australia has to offer.
In part one, we follow the journey of Calypso® mangoes, from flowering on the farm to the shelves of your local supermarket.
Next time, we'll dive into the story of how Qukes® make their way from the glasshouse to your fruit and veggie aisle.
Samantha Frolov, category manager for Calypso® mangoes, shares what it takes to deliver these iconic mangoes to your table.
The process begins on farms across Australia, where it takes approximately Calypso® mangoes 4-5 years from planting to reaching maturity. At this point, they are able to produce fruit.
Typically, once mature, mangoes are harvested (or picked) once a year, from late spring to early autumn, depending on the region in Australia in which they are grown.
It takes about 120 days from flowering to harvest. During this time, the fruit develops its distinct taste and appearance under the careful management of expert growers.
“When it’s time to harvest, Calypso® mangoes are picked with a minimum maturity indicator in field. This ensures a consistent flavour profile, delivering the quality consumers expect,” Samantha explains.
After picking, mangoes are washed, treated, and graded on the farm before being carefully packed into trays. “They are then precooled and transported to ripening facilities across the country at temperatures between 13-16°C,” Samantha says.
The mangoes are ripened to order, reaching a golden yellow skin, with a minimum/optimal sugar level—an indicator of optimal sweetness and eating quality.
There has been a lot of work and research into freight efficiencies whilst ensuring the quality of the Calypso mango.
We track real time data of truck temperatures in transit which has be an invaluable tool to maintain high fruit quality in our supply chain. One of Calypso’s key attributes is its longer shelf life so this assists within ensuring good quality mangoes arrive to store.
Did you know – we pick mangoes before they are fully ripe to help maintain the best possible quality. We ripen them by using warm temperatures close to where they will be sold so they are perfect in store and when you get them home.
It takes approximately 14 days for Calypso® mangoes to make their journey from the farm to the store shelf. This includes harvesting, packing, cooling, transportation, and ripening.
“Partnering with innovative transport companies has allowed us to monitor truck temperatures in real-time during transit, minimising damage and ensuring mangoes arrive in perfect condition,” Samantha notes.
When choosing a Calypso® mango, look for its vibrant blush and ensure it feels firm but slightly yielding to the touch. Often, they will last for days in your fruit bowl out on the bench. Once ripe, they can be stored in the fridge for a chilled summer treat.
“The Calypso® mango was bred for its small seed—giving consumers more flesh, less fibre, and no stringy bits. Its longer shelf life also ensures great eating quality at home,” Samantha adds.
Calypso® mango farms produce over 50 million mangoes annually, catering to Australian households and export markets worldwide.
“Our recent expansion internationally has been a significant milestone,” Samantha says. “We’ve celebrated success with our Mexican partner, delivering the first Mexican-grown Calypso® mangoes to the U.S. market and look forward to further growth in the coming years.”
At Perfection Fresh, we’re proud to work closely with our growers and partners to ensure every Calypso® mango you enjoy meets the highest standards of quality and care.
Stay tuned for next month’s feature, where we’ll uncover the journey of Qukes® from the glasshouse to your supermarket.