Base of the dried organic mango
The mango (Mangifera indica) belongs to the sumac family and is one of the oldest cultivated stone fruits in the world. Originally from South Asia, it has developed into a globally appreciated fruit with a wide variety of cultivars. There are two types of modern mango: the "Indian type" and the "Southeast Asian type", the latter being grown mainly in Kenya.
The organic mango for LIMBUA grows on the organic mixed farms of local smallholders as an evergreen tree (Mangifera indica) and requires warm, tropical or subtropical conditions to thrive optimally. The trees can reach an impressive height of up to 30-40 meters, with a lifespan of up to 300 years. It takes around four to five months from flowering to ripening of the fruit.
Depending on the variety, the ripe fruits differ in size, shape, color, sweetness and eating quality. Depending on the variety, the fruits are yellow, orange, red or green.
Organic mango from local smallholder farmers
LIMBUA focuses on the 100% organic cultivation of mangoes in frost-free and warmer areas. This approach not only ensures drought resistance, but also an optimum Brix value (soluble solids content).
We source our mangoes exclusively from small-scale organic contract farmers who also sell macadamias and avocados to LIMBUA. The mangoes are grown on their organic mixed farms in the region. The farmers are supported by qualified LIMBUA agronomists from our field team and receive the best agronomic practices: Among other things, they use only well-decomposed organic compost fertilizer and ECOCERT-approved fertilizers such as Minjingu rock phosphate from Tanzania and Rotuba Tosha from LIMBUA's own organic compost.
Harvesting takes place from November to March, with the fruit being selectively picked by hand and taken immediately to the processing plant. The mangoes are only harvested when they are physiologically ripe and only the best quality is selected.
The smallholder farmers are supported by trained LIMBUA harvest workers: they have undergone thorough quality training and talented men and women take part in the harvesting work. The harvesters attach great importance to leaving the stalk on the fruit so that the juice does not run out.
Mango purchase directly on site
The harvested mangoes are purchased by our own LIMBUA purchasing team, which visits the farms for this purpose. The smallholders are clearly identified and assigned by means of a finger scan.
As with macadamias and avocados, the purchasing process is completely digital and farmers are paid immediately via M-Pesa on their cell phones. This means that the money is available to them just-in-time.
The digitalization of the purchasing process guarantees 100% traceability and thus assured quality.
LIMBUA Mango varieties
There is an amazing diversity of over 500 mango varieties that differ in taste, texture, color and size. Each variety has its own unique characteristics. In Kenya, mangoes are in season between November and March, with the peak between January and February.
At LIMBUA, we only buy organic mangoes of the following varieties from contracted smallholders:
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Kent: The dark green mangoes with dark red coloring are also known as "dessert mango". The fruit itself is large and oval. With sweet, juicy flesh and a limited amount of fiber, they are ideal for drying. Kents are popular with gourmets worldwide.
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Apple: The Apple Mango, also known as 'Kesar', is medium to large in size with a smooth, thin skin of yellow-orange to red color when ripe. The fruit has a sweet, tropical flavor. The flesh is juicy yellow with a melting texture and is practically fiberless.
Apple mangoes are not polyembryonic, i.e. trees that are propagated by seed produce fruit that differ in shape, color and quality. -
Tommy: The Tommy Atkins mango is one of the most commonly grown varieties. With firm, deep yellow flesh, the Tommy mango is known for its long shelf life and tolerance to handling and transportation.
Production of organic dried mango
The smallholder farmers' organic mixed farms are located in the immediate vicinity of the modern LIMBUA production facility, which means that the transportation routes for the tropical fruit are very short. This ensures that freshly harvested fruit is processed.
After harvesting, all the produce is transported to the production facility on the same day in specially ventilated harvest crates for controlled ripening. This is where the fruit is processed promptly, as the quality of the fruit determines the quality of the end product: the dried organic mango.
LIMBUA relies on a high proportion of manual labor for the peeling, cutting and pitting steps:
- Young people and women from the surrounding smallholder community in particular are given the opportunity to earn an income in rural Kenya. This prevents rural exodus and improves the living conditions of the people in the region.
- The fruit is treated gently by hand and the best possible quality is achieved.
Finally, the organic mango pieces are dried using a gentle raw food air-drying process without the addition of sugar.
The purchase and processing of organic mangoes thus provides the region with an additional source of income and jobs. The sustainable cultivation and income also improves the local infrastructure.
A sustainable snack in bulk
The dried organic mango from LIMBUA is therefore not only a delicious snack, but also a healthy choice - available for retail in bulk of 8 kg. The fruit is grown, harvested and processed under strict quality controls.
Their natural ripening process and organic cultivation contribute to their unique taste and optimal nutritional composition: the dried fruits contain many vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, vitamin A and potassium, as well as fiber and antioxidants. A treat that not only delights the palate, but also contributes to sustainable agriculture.