( CNN ) -- If you do n't like mangoes , look away now . This article includes a `` mango '' word count well in excess of what is normally reasonable . It features mango culinary demonstrations , mango samplings , mango lectures , mango medics , a mango auction and even a mango summit . That 's because I attended the International Mango Festival , held in the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Miami earlier this month . It 's an annual event , one that draws enthusiasts , like myself , and also mango `` experts '' who gather to talk , taste and slurp their way around this sweetest , drippiest of fruits . I imagine most are still reading . After all , who does n't like mangoes ? The United States is the world 's biggest importer of mangoes , buying in more than 300,000 tons of them in 2010 , worth around $ 280 million , according to the UN 's FAO figures . That 's not as much bananas -- in the same year the U.S. imported more than 4 million tons of bananas , worth nearly $ 2 billion . But clearly we have a liking for this red-yellow fruit . My mission , I decided , was to try and discover if there is such a thing as a `` perfect '' mango , and if so , where I could find it . Hundreds of varieties . It 's not as absurd a mission as you might think -- there are an estimated one thousand mango varieties grown around the world , the Fairchild Garden has a collection of 600 types , and they 're all quite different . `` Surprisingly , only 20 of those are commercially traded , '' says Noris Ledesma , the curator of tropical fruit for Fairchild 's Tropical Fruit Program . `` The most common are Tommy Atkins , Ataulfo , Kent and Keitt . With the exception of Ataulfo , which is from Mexico , all other varieties are from Florida . '' Mangoes were introduced to the United States in the early 1900s by David Fairchild , the then manager of the Office of Seed and Plant Introduction of the U.S. Department of Agriculture . His global seed explorations brought thousands of seeds , plants and crops into the country , including the mango . Originally from South Asia , the mango moved to Africa , then South America and the Caribbean . Fairchild brought the mango into the U.S. from India . For Dr. Richard Campbell , director of horticulture and senior curator of tropical fruit at the Fairchild , mangoes are `` a special fruit that have everything : aromas , flavors , colors and culture . `` They bring out passion and appeal to the common man and to the most sophisticated . '' So where should I start on my perfect mango mission ? `` Mangoes from Indonesia do not taste the same as mangoes from India , Hawaii or Mexico . It 's just geography , '' says Dr. Campbell . So perhaps I should start close by -- in Florida . Florida produces the majority of mangoes in the United States , and it turns out South Floridians are exceptionally confident with their mango selections . Local favorites . Standing in front of the one dollar line for the mango tasting and flavor evaluations , I ask festival attendee Stacey Griffin what she votes for . Her mango of choice is the Merritt , a complex mango from Florida with layers of flavors . Griffin 's second choice goes to the Champagne mango , also known as the Ataulfo , from Mexico , with thick , buttery flesh and a thin pit . For Griffin , mangoes are great in all forms : hot , cold , as smoothies or in a cooked dish . For others , including myself , the choice is too overwhelming to make such an important decision so quickly . I wonder if there are tricks or techniques I should apply to come to a decision quicker . `` The best way to taste mango and to appreciate the complexity of the flavors is early in the morning with an empty stomach , '' says Ledesma . If you want to get really technical , which is exactly what festivals like this seem to thrive on , we can also argue over mango cultivation , pruning , crafting and market demand . The event features a long diary of workshops and displays and other proceedings on all things mango . I learn , for instance , that while India is the world 's biggest producer of mangoes by some distance , Mexico is the biggest supplier to the United States , with China , India and Brazil following . That does n't necessarily mean Mexico has the best mangoes , but the Champagne variety from Mexico is deliciously sweet with an appetizing orange color . Then there 's the Keitt -- shining yellow and aromatic . There 's the Manila from Philippines -- strong and sour . The Okrong from Thailand is also pleasant , while the Kent variety is rather grassy . Mangoes during the festival sell for the modest price of $ 1-2 each , but in Japan the price can go much higher . `` The Floridian mango sells for $ 80 a piece , '' says Ledesma . `` It 's given as a gift because its red color is a symbol of luck and abundance . '' Mango tastings do n't have to involve the fruit in its pure form . Cut , cooked , creamed . Soon I find myself trying mango-based dishes like sticky rice with mango , mango ceviche and mango chutneys offered by local vendors and chefs . It all has a refreshing yet sweet flavor and the savory and spicy combinations intrigue me . Its versatility makes it easy-to-use in salads , dips , chutneys , smoothies and even bread . But even after dozens of tastings , I 'm still looking at my notes unable to decide what makes a perfect mango . I seek alternative opinion once again . `` I definitely do not like Manila , '' says seven-year old son . `` It 's super sour . '' Dr. Campbell says it 's almost impossible to decide what the `` best '' mango is . But that does n't stop him picking one out . `` My favorite is the Edward because I grew up with it , I have it in my backyard , '' says Campbell . `` It is safe and it reminds me of home . '' After two days of exploration , numerous tastings and various conversations I finally decide on a favorite : I opt for the Fairchild mango from Panama , named after David Fairchild . It 's smooth , creamy and fragrant , its bold sweetness is addictive and I 'm intrigued by the color . It 's just a shame my choice means excluding so many delicious others .
The International Mango Festival takes places every year in September , bringing together mango enthusiasts and professionals . Hundreds of fruits from around the world can be tasted , traded and bid for during the two - day event . The term mango was named after David Fairchild , who introduced mangoes to the US in early 1900s .