Catona Mangoe: tropical fruit made in Calabria

When you think of mangoes, do you think of wild beaches and remote exotic islands? There is a place in Calabria where juicy, colourful tropical fruits grow.

It may not be the tropics, but Catona, in the province of Reggio Calabria, with its wonderful white sandy beach, has nothing to envy and there's more: exceptional mangoes are grown in this area. That's right, the best Calabrian mangoes grow on the hills of Reggio.

Why do tropical plants grow in this area? There is a very specific reason for this, which can be found in the perfect microclimate created by the combination of currents from the Strait of Messina and Aspromonte. In a particularly fertile land that has always been devoted to agriculture, tropical fruits are a recent addition. It is a gamble taken by entrepreneurs who have combined their love for their territory and respect for the environment with an innovative vision.

Calabrian mangoes are rich in vitamins, antioxidants and beta-carotene, with a low-fibre, very sweet and fragrant flesh. They are appreciated and in demand by local restaurants and ice cream parlours that prefer zero-kilometre products and a transparent supply chain, but part of the harvest is shipped throughout Italy. The journey of Catona mangoes to markets in other Italian regions is short compared to the long distances travelled from tropical countries. This allows it to be picked from the trees when it has reached the right ripeness, whereas tropical fruit, which usually has to travel very long distances, forces producers to pack it while it is still unripe. With a perfect microclimate and a genuine supply chain, Catona mangoes are a product of excellence that combines exotic sweetness with the strong flavour typical of the land that nourishes them. There are several types of mango grown in Calabria: Kensington is the main variety, produced from mid-August to September, followed by Kent and Glenn, Keitt (a late variety) and Palmer.

Mangoes and more: the perfect microclimate on the Strait allows for the cultivation of other tropical fruits: annona, avocado, macadamia nut, papaya and feijoa. Under the hot southern sun, everything blooms and bears excellent fruit.

Catona is famous above all for its long white sandy beach (listed as a Site of Community Importance) and for its crystal-clear sea, characteristics it shares with nearby Gallico. In summer, the Alberto Neri Arena hosts Catonateatro, a festival that combines music, theatre and literature and brings to the stage outstanding performers and major national productions.

We are just a stone's throw from the centre of Reggio Calabria, and if you haven't already done so, you must take a walk along one of Italy's most beautiful and iconic seafronts, overlooking the Strait of Messina and embellished with sculptures by Rabarama, before continuing on to the National Archaeological Museum, which houses the Riace Bronzes.