Mangifera indica 'Mun Kun Si' (Mun Kun Si Mango)

Mangifera indica (Mango) is a large evergreen tree native to South Asia and among the oldest cultivated fruit trees, grown in India for over 4,000 years. In tropical climates it can reach 60-80 feet with a broad crown of glossy leaves. Small yellowish flowers appear in spring, followed by fleshy drupes known worldwide as mangoes.

Fruit shape varies from oval to kidney-shaped, with skin that may remain green or ripen to yellow, orange, or red. The flesh is juicy and aromatic, sometimes fiberless and sweet, sometimes more resinous depending on type. Mangoes are eaten fresh, dried, blended, or cooked, making them one of the most versatile tropical fruits. Some people experience irritation on the lips from the peel, so fruits are usually eaten peeled.

The tree thrives in full sun and well-drained soil in warm climates, hardy only to USDA Zones 9-11. With hundreds of named cultivars, Mangifera indica remains one of the world s most widely grown and culturally important fruit trees.

See Mango varieties.

Mangifera indica 'Mun Kun Si' (Mun Kun Si Mango) is a rare Thai variety similar to 'Nam Doc Mai' but producing larger fruit that can be eaten both green and fully ripe. The fruit is long, slender, and slightly curved, hanging in clusters and turning yellow-green to golden-yellow when ready to pick. In its green stage, it is crisp, sweet, and refreshingly tart - 'Mun' means crunchy in Thai - while ripe fruit become extremely sweet, fiberless, and slightly firm, keeping their pleasant texture. The flesh is pale yellow, smooth, and aromatic, offering a clean, delicate taste appreciated by mango lovers in Thailand and Vietnam. The tree is moderately vigorous, upright, and highly productive, often fruiting very late, with fruit sometimes remaining on the tree as late as January.

Mun Kun Si performs best in tropical and subtropical climates, thriving in full sun and well-drained soil with regular watering and pruning after harvest. It tolerates humidity well and is an excellent choice for home gardens and collectors seeking both crisp green and sweet ripe mangoes from the same tree. Trees thrive in USDA Zones 10 11 and need protection from frost, with minimum tolerance down to about 30F.