The R2E2 mango is a commercially significant and highly recognizable mango cultivar, particularly originating from Australia. Its name, R2E2, actually refers to its original location in the experimental orchard: Row 2, E2.

Here’s a detailed description of the R2E2 mango:

Origin and Cultivation:

Origin: Developed by the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in Australia in the 1980s. It’s a hybrid, with one parent being the Kensington Pride (also known as Bowen mango).
Key Growing Regions: Widely grown across mango-producing regions of Australia, and also exported globally.
Tree Characteristics: R2E2 trees are vigorous growers, especially in their early years, with an upright, open canopy. They are considered a medium to high-vigor tree. For optimal fruiting, they require good pruning and management due to their initial rapid growth.

Fruit Characteristics:

Size and Shape: The R2E2 is renowned for its large size, often weighing between 600 grams to over 1 kilogram (1.5 to 2.2 pounds). It has a distinctive round to oval-oblong shape.
Skin: The skin is thick, smooth, and very attractive. It ripens from green to a vibrant yellow with a prominent red blush, often covering a significant portion of the fruit. Small white dots (lenticels) are visible on the skin. This striking color makes it visually appealing on the market.
Flesh (Pulp):
- Color: The flesh is a firm, lemon-yellow to deep orange color.
- Texture: It is characterized by its firmness and relatively low fiber content, making it pleasant to eat. While some sources say “fiberless,” it’s generally considered to have very minimal fiber. Its texture is juicy and creamy.
- Pulp Recovery: High pulp recovery, typically around 77%.
Taste and Aroma:
- Sweetness: It has a sweet, mild flavor. Some describe it as having a balanced sweetness with a slight tartness or even subtle citrus and spice notes.
- Aroma: It possesses a pleasant, characteristic mango aroma, though perhaps not as intensely aromatic as some other varieties.

Season and Availability:

The R2E2 is considered a mid-to-late season variety, maturing typically 2-4 weeks after varieties like Kensington Pride. In Australia, its peak availability is generally from November to February.

Commercial Advantages & Uses:

Excellent Shelf Life: One of the most significant advantages of the R2E2 is its long shelf life and good keeping quality, which makes it highly sought after for export markets. Its firm flesh helps it withstand transportation.
Attractive Appearance: Its large size and vibrant red and yellow coloring make it very appealing to consumers, driving its market popularity.
Culinary Uses: The firm, low-fiber flesh makes it excellent for:
- Fresh eating: Often sliced and enjoyed fresh.
- Salads: Holds its shape well in fruit salads.
- Desserts: Suitable for various mango-based desserts, sorbets, and smoothies.
- Due to its firmness, it’s also good for grilling or cooking where you want the mango to retain some structure.

Nutritional Value:

Like most mangoes, R2E2 is a good source of vitamins (especially Vitamin C and A), minerals (potassium, magnesium, calcium), dietary fiber, and antioxidants (beta-carotene).

In summary, the R2E2 mango is a highly successful commercial variety, prized for its large size, striking appearance, firm and low-fiber flesh, good shelf life, and mild, sweet flavor, making it a popular choice for both domestic consumption and international export