3 Minute Mango Expertise
The importance of mango literacy with Mango Hunter Jeff Ray
“If we keep talking about it. We’ll figure out solutions together to make it easier for everyone to get amazing mangoes.” -Mango Hunter Jeff Ray
I’ve been teaching people about food since my late 20s, starting with culinary herbs and eventually opening Ger-Nis Culinary & Herb Center in Brooklyn. My career in food education has always paralleled my work with farmers in global morganic agriculture. I believe that for farmers to succeed, consumers must understand the entire chain of connection from farm to table. Likewise, farmers need to understand the end user and the commodity they are growing. When these elements are in balance, a proper supply chain can be built, leading to optimal #MangoJoy and enhanced mango literacy or more general prosperity and joy.
When I met Mango Hunter Jeff Ray, I was captivated by his passion for mangoes. It wasn’t just about the Crespo mango he used in the first video I saw. His enthusiasm highlighted the industry’s gap between farmers, the product, and consumers. It was an “Oprah aha moment” for me, reminding me that mango literacy (a term I’m coining, much like #MangoJoy) is something we all must create together. It takes a lot of work and, more importantly, a passion for mangoes, which Jeff and I know many people share!
Increasing mango literacy is essential for boosting mango sales and spreading #MangoJoy. Consumers seek novel experiences to enhance their product knowledge, regardless of their expertise level. Offering beginner, intermediate, and advanced teachings is crucial. Experience is the best teacher, and each new concept, idea, tip, trick or recipe enhances product knowledge, which is then shared—it’s the mango joy gift that keeps giving. Mango literacy is about the joy mangoes provide, extending beyond just cutting a mango or making a mango cake to encompass well-being, cultural connections, and the complex chain from orchard to table.
Consumers, especially novice mango enthusiasts, are drawn to diverse experiences with unique products (new varieties) or atypical recipes (e.g., Mango dulce de leche). This broadening of knowledge is why new products succeed and why the Crespo Organic kitchen thrives. We are constantly thinking about how to spread more genuine, expert-vetted mango information while continuously learning ourselves.
Relationships, like the one I have with Jeff, keeps the education system moving. Teaching Jeff about mangoes enhances both our expertise. In my journey teaching about food in general and creating mango-literate people, I’ve learned the importance of these ongoing relationships. The job is never done—it’s about genuinely connecting both sides of the food chain, over and over, evolving, sharing and growing.
Experts like Dr. Nora Ledesma and Brian Dey , who I interviewed earlier this summer, are widely recognized in our industry. Jeff Ray, this week’s guest, is maybe less known to our industry but he holds a unique position in our industry and one I consider extremely important. He’s an avid mango lover and part of the mango geek club Brian Dey mentioned. Witnessing Jeff’s journey is valuable, and listening to him is enlightening. Building mango literacy together feels important. He understands the ordinary mango shopper, and we should pay attention to him and others like him in our quest to sell more mangoes and spread #MangoJoy.
Mango Hunter Jeff Ray is a DC-based video creator whose journey as the Mango Hunter on Instagram began in 2023, capturing hearts with his delectable mango-based content. Jeff’s deep-rooted affection for mangoes traces back to his early years spent in Panama, where he was able to snack on the fruit plucked straight from trees in his backyard. His goal is to taste all the mangoes the world has to offer, and to share the joy he gets from mangoes (#MangoJoy) with as many people as he can. (Beyond his love of mangoes, Jeff likes to spend his time traveling, playing tennis and making music.) You can learn more about Jeff Ray and his projects at www.JeffRay.com