| Mangifera 'Tommy Atkins' | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genus | Mangifera |
| Species | Mangifera indica |
| Hybrid parentage | 'Haden' × unknown |
| Cultivar | 'Tommy Atkins' |
| Breeder | Thomas H. Atkins ofBroward County, Florida |
| Origin | Florida, US |
The'Tommy Atkins' mango is a namedmango cultivar. Although generally not considered to be the best in terms of sweetness and flavor,[1] it is valued for its very longshelf life and tolerance of handling and transportation with little or no bruising or degradation.[2]
This means it is the main mango sold in regions where mangoes have to be imported, comprising about 80% of mangoes sold in theUnited Kingdom andUnited States[dubious –discuss], apart from growing regions inCalifornia,[3]Hawaii,Florida andPuerto Rico. However, inFrance it is sold at a discount, while the main importedcultivar isKent.[4]
The original tree reportedly grew from aHaden seed planted around 1922 on the property of Thomas H. Atkins ofBroward County, Florida. Later pedigree analysis supported the Haden parentage. Thomas Atkins submitted the fruit to the variety committee of the Florida Mango Forum multiple times during the 1950s, which rejected it due to its unremarkable eating qualities and considerable fiber in the flesh. Atkins, however, felt strongly that the fruit had good commercial potential due to its color, strong and steady production, relatively good fungus resistance, and good handling characteristics. He was able to market the fruit successfully to commercial growers, who began planting the cultivar during the 1950s. Thereafter, 'Tommy Atkins' became extremely popular as a commercial variety, eventually becoming the most commonly planted commercial mango in Florida, and later the most extensively planted in the Americas,[5] a position it still holds today.
