Taiwanese mangoes enter U.K. market, draw praise from local consumers

London, June 25 (CNA) Taiwanese Irwin mangoes are making their way into the United Kingdom, where British consumers sampling the fruit at a Taiwanese specialty supermarket in London on Wednesday praised their delicate texture and sweet flavor.

One British shopper, identified only as Jane, described the Taiwanese Irwin mango as "absolutely beautiful," saying it was "perfectly ripe and very, very sweet" and stood out from mangoes typically sold in British supermarkets.

"They have a slightly different aftertaste -- almost herby," she said.

Sasha, who said he liked mangoes, noted that Taiwanese Irwin mangoes were less fibrous than those commonly available in grocery shops across London.

The mangoes were introduced to the U.K. by LingerMart, a supermarket in London's Richmond district founded and operated by a Taiwanese entrepreneur named Gili.

LingerMart, which sells a variety of products from Taiwan including snacks, drinks, noodles and condiments, recently imported a box of 14 Irwin mangoes from Taiwan as a trial run to test how they perform in the local market.

It has also begun accepting preorders for the mangoes on its online shopping platform, with deliveries scheduled for July.

According to its website, preorders are offered in two options: a 2.5-kilogram box containing seven to eight mangoes priced at £117.99 (US$155.50), and a 5-kilogram box priced at £192.99.

The supermarket said it will begin in-store sales of the fruit in the first two weeks of July.

LingerMart will soon open a second store in Windsor, about a 30-minute drive from Richmond. Gili said that the locations, including the one in Richmond, were chosen to reach a broader base of U.K. consumers.

She decided to introduce Taiwanese mangoes after seeing their recent entry into the French market, which inspired her to bring the fruit to the U.K. while ensuring it is delivered fresh directly from Taiwan, Gili said.

Mangoes are only the beginning, she noted, adding that LingerMart hopes to import other seasonal Taiwanese fruit in future, including dragon fruit, lychees and pomelos, depending on availability.

The supermarket also plans to gradually introduce Taiwanese seafood such as milkfish, as well as specialty agricultural products from across Taiwan, including organic goods from Hualien farmers' associations.

Fan Chih-lun (范植倫), international trade manager at LingerMart, said that market research suggests high-quality Taiwanese fruit is not well suited for competition in mainstream U.K. supermarkets and better positioned in the premium segment.

Higher-end restaurants have already expressed interest in purchasing the fruit after having tried it, Fan said.

LingerMart's goal is not only to sell products, but also to show U.K. consumers that Taiwan produces high-quality fruit year-round, he added.