If you have ever spent any time with people from South Asia, you'll find that mangoes are talked about a lot. Especially between April and August each year.
There's a good reason why so much diaspora writing about South Asia is about mangoes. They're pretty damn good.
To me, the difference between a normal mango and a South Asian mango in season is the difference between table wine and say, Barolo. Or the difference between Velveeta and artisanal cheese. All mangoes (and all cheese, including artificial ones) have their place. But some bring more joy than others.
There are many types of South Asian mangoes, too. A single state or province can have hundreds, even thousands of different types of mangoes. While I can sometimes enjoy a Mexican or Peruvian mango, South Asian mangoes are what make me want to write poetry, what sends me into a frenzy at mango season. However, these mangoes are not easy to get. They don't show up in every grocery store. Not every variety gets exported. Other people text random men, who show up with mangoes or not. People will go to great lengths for these mangoes. Many friends say getting even one mango from home helps them feel less homesick. Be aware that no matter how you choose to procure one, it will be an adventure: getting this fruit from farm to your table abroad is not easy. Even if you can order it online, it won't be as easy as other online shopping processes. Sometimes they call back and say, 'can you wait two more weeks?' That's all normal. I'm just glad I can get them at all.
(Caption: Burmese lahpet yay cho in Yangon, Myanmar.)