Barry Thompson mango grower Queensland
PICKED THIS WEEK GROWN NEARBY • 47KM

G'day, I'm Barry.
Let Me Tell You About
Mango Season.

I've been growing Kensington Pride mangoes in Beaudesert for 23 years. My orchard is 47km from Brisbane—close enough that you can eat what I picked Monday morning by Wednesday breakfast.

Let me share what I've learned about choosing, cutting, and enjoying mangoes at their absolute best.

Learn About Varieties Shop Barry's Mangoes
23 years growing experience
47km from Brisbane CBD
3rd generation family farm

The 4 Varieties I Grow
(And How to Choose Between Them)

People ask me all the time: "What's the difference?" Here's what I tell them. Each variety has its own personality—some are sweeter, some are tangier, some are better for fresh eating, others for cooking. Let me break it down the way I explain it to customers at the farm gate.

Kensington Pride Mangoes

Kensington Pride

Barry says: "The classic. This is what most Aussies grew up with. Sweet, tangy, and so juicy you'll need a bib."

Golden skin with a pink blush when ripe. The aroma is incredible— you can smell them from across the room. Perfect for eating fresh, smoothies, or that classic Aussie mango salsa.

Barry's Farm, Beaudesert (47km)
R2E2 Mangoes

R2E2 Mango

Barry says: "Big, meaty, and firm. Great if you want chunks for cooking. My wife uses these for mango salad."

Larger than Kensington Pride with firmer flesh. Less juicy but holds its shape beautifully. Ideal for salads, salsas, or any dish where you want visible mango pieces.

Barry's Farm, Beaudesert (47km)
Calypso Mangoes

Calypso Mango

Barry says: "The gourmet one. Smooth texture, tiny seed, and a flavor that's almost floral. Bit more expensive."

Known for its sweet, sometimes floral taste. Small seed means more flesh. Versatile: pickle them unripe, grill them softening, or eat fresh when fully ripe.

Partner Farm, Logan (38km)
Fresh Australian Mangoes

Honey Gold

Barry says: "The all-rounder. Can't go wrong. Good for anything—fresh, cooked, blended, you name it."

Rich, sweet flavor with firm but juicy flesh. Lives up to its name— tastes like honey. This is the variety I recommend if you can't decide. Works for everything.

Barry's Farm, Beaudesert (47km)

Barry's Quick Selection Guide

Can't decide? Here's my rule of thumb:

  • Fresh eating: Kensington Pride (classic Aussie taste)
  • Cooking/salads: R2E2 (holds shape, firm chunks)
  • Special occasion: Calypso (premium, gourmet flavor)
  • Can't decide: Honey Gold (works for everything)

Here's What I've Learned
in 23 Years of Growing

People always ask: "How do you know when it's ready?" or "What's the best way to cut them?" These are the tricks my dad taught me, and the ones I use at home with my own family.

Queensland mango grower inspecting fruit for ripeness
BARRY'S SELECTION TIP

How I Know When a Mango Is Ready

After 23 years, I can tell just by looking. But you don't need that experience—I'll teach you the three-second test I use.

1

Smell the stem end

That's where the fragrance comes from. If it smells sweet and tropical, it's ready. No smell? Give it another day or two.

2

Gentle squeeze test

Don't press hard—you'll bruise it. Just gentle pressure with your thumb. Should yield slightly, like a ripe avocado.

3

Look at the color

Ignore the green—that doesn't mean unripe. Look for golden undertones or a pink blush. And wrinkly skin near the stem? That's actually a good sign.

Pro tip from Barry: Buy them slightly firm and let them ripen at home for 2-3 days. That's what I do. They'll be perfect when you're ready to eat them.

BARRY'S CUTTING METHOD

The Hedgehog Method
(Zero Mess, Perfect Cubes)

This is how we cut them at home. My kids can do it. Takes 30 seconds, and you get those perfect Instagram-worthy cubes.

1

Stand it up, cut the cheeks

The seed is flat, so slice down each side about 1cm from center. You'll feel when you hit the seed—just follow it.

2

Score the flesh (not the skin)

Make a crosshatch pattern with your knife. Go deep but don't pierce through the skin—that's your cutting board.

3

Push and scoop

Push the skin from underneath—the cheek inverts into a "hedgehog." Scoop the cubes off with a spoon. Done.

What about the seed? Don't waste it! Cut the remaining flesh off the seed and eat it over the sink. That's the farmer's snack.

Mango hedgehog cutting method demonstration
BARRY'S FAMILY RECIPES

What We Actually Eat at Home

You'd think we'd be sick of mangoes after harvest season. Nope. Here are the three ways my wife and kids eat them every week. Simple recipes that let the fruit do the talking.

Tropical mango smoothie bowl breakfast

🥭 Breakfast Smoothie Bowl

My daughter's favorite. Frozen mango chunks, Greek yogurt, coconut flakes, chia seeds. Takes 5 minutes.

Barry's tip: Freeze ripe mangoes in chunks. They'll last 6 months, perfect for smoothies year-round.

Fresh Thai mango salad with herbs

🥗 Thai-Style Mango Salad

My wife learned this from a Thai friend. Fresh mango strips, mint, lime, chili, crushed peanuts. Tangy and addictive.

Barry's tip: Use R2E2 for this—firmer flesh holds up better when you toss it with the dressing.

Fresh mango salsa chunky tropical

🌮 Fresh Mango Salsa

BBQ season staple. Diced mango, red onion, coriander, jalapeño, lime juice. Goes with everything—fish, chicken, tacos.

Barry's tip: Make it the night before. Flavors meld overnight and it tastes even better.

"Honestly, the best way to eat a mango is standing over the sink, juice running down your chin, no knife, no fancy prep. But these three recipes are what my family asks for when we want to get a bit creative."

— Barry Thompson

Mango grower, Beaudesert

"So How Do You Get My Mangoes
Without Driving Out Here?"

Good question. Used to be, if you wanted mangoes from my orchard, you had to drive the 47km to Beaudesert and buy them at my farm gate. But a few years ago, I partnered with FreshBox.

Here's How It Works:

Grown Nearby

My farm is 47km from Brisbane. That's what FreshBox means by "nearby"—every farm is within 100km of SE Queensland.

47km

Beaudesert to Brisbane

Picked This Week

I pick Monday mornings at 6am when sugar levels peak. By 2pm, they're packed and on their way to Brisbane.

Mon 6am

This week's harvest

Today's Harvest,
Tonight's Dinner

Picked Monday, delivered Wednesday. That's 48 hours from my tree to your kitchen table.

48 hours

Farm to your door

You've Probably Seen These Around Brisbane

Today's Harvest Tonight's Dinner guerrilla marketing

Today's Harvest. Tonight's Dinner.

FreshBox street signage across Brisbane

Grown Nearby Eaten Tonight signage

Grown Nearby. Eaten Tonight.

The 100km promise in action

"Those signs aren't just clever marketing. They're a promise I can actually keep because I'm 47km away. FreshBox picks up from my farm Monday afternoon. By Wednesday morning, Brisbane families are eating mangoes that were on my trees 48 hours ago."

"That's impossible for supermarkets. Their mangoes come from all over— sometimes interstate, sometimes overseas. They're picked weeks early so they survive the journey. Mine? Picked ripe. Delivered fresh. That's the difference you'll taste."

— Barry Thompson

47km from Brisbane CBD • Growing since 2001

Thompson Family Orchards - Three generations of mango growers in Beaudesert
ABOUT BARRY'S FARM

Thompson Family Orchards

Third-generation mango growers in Beaudesert. My grandfather planted the first trees in 1975. My dad taught me everything I know. Now I'm teaching my kids. It's in our blood.

Location

Beaudesert, SE QLD

47km from Brisbane CBD

52km from Gold Coast

Growing Since

2001 (23 years)

3rd generation

FreshBox partner since 2019

Varieties

Kensington Pride

R2E2

Honey Gold

Harvest Season

Nov - Mar

Peak: Dec - Jan

Mon 6am pickings

Track Your Mangoes Back to My Tree

Every FreshBox has a QR code. Scan it with your phone and you'll see:

  • ✓ My farm location on Google Maps (47km)
  • ✓ Exact harvest date (usually Monday 6am)
  • ✓ Delivery timeline (48-72 hours)
  • ✓ My name and story (you're reading it now!)

Want to Try My Mangoes?

I'm picking Monday morning. You'll be eating them Wednesday. That's Today's Harvest, Tonight's Dinner in action.

47km
From Brisbane CBD
Mon 6am
This week's harvest
Wed
Your door

Try Once

$89 $49 $40 OFF
  • 5kg mixed varieties from Barry's farm
  • Picked Monday 6am, delivered Wed
  • QR code tracks back to Barry's orchard
  • One-time purchase, no subscription
Shop Barry's Mangoes

147 boxes sold this week from Barry's farm. Brisbane families eating mangoes picked 48 hours ago.

100% satisfaction guarantee Free delivery over $60