PPK

Last week we recalled some history of the superstar Lemon Zest mango--- its convoluted name journey from 27-1 to Lemon Zest to Orange Sherbet to Lemon Zest. Perhaps more important is its actual lineage. Along with (the current) Orange Sherbet, it's a seedling of another famed mango, the Po Pyu Kalay, or in Tropical Fruit Forumese, the PPK. Chris Rollins has credited Maurice Kong with bringing the PPK from Burma.

PPK is also called Lemon Meringue, a strikingly accurate description of its flavor. It is described at Pine Island Nursery as “a unique Asian mango from the exotic nation of Myanmar (formerly Burma). The large vigorous tree produces small, yellow, elongated, somewhat pointed fruit with a bright lemon-yellow, moist, spicy, flesh.”

A well-informed pro at the Tropical Fruit Forum gives a more evocative description:

PPK, or Lemon Meringue, has a very distinct creamy sweet lemony flavor profile. It is an excellent mango. [Its] only drawbacks in my book are its vigorous growth habit and small sized fruits. If you have the space it is definitely worth growing.

Now, comparing PPK to its seedling LZ. Really no comparison to me. LZ has a distinct sweeter, more orangey citrus overtone to it with a hint of lemony tartness versus a true lemon tone to that of the PPK.”

This is more-or-less confirmed by a different poster who says: “I continue to be impressed with Lemon Zest, but have found PPK to be much more citrusy and tangy. LZ is more balanced.”

Here is my little PPK, bought just last December. With several spaces available, I decided to plant it next to my lemon trees, why not?