Mango and papaya thrive in the heat

Often referred to as the king of fruits, along with several others depending on taste, you can have delicious fresh mango from May to November. The remainder of the time, the fruit is imported and not as delicious as locally grown. It’s like comparing local pineapple to those imported. Local fruit are harvested at their peak of sweetness whereas imported fruit are picked while on the green side. (Courtesy photo/Special to West Hawaii Today)

We usually think of lush tropical gardens when Hawaii comes to mind, but much of our land especially on the leeward side is desert. There are many delectable fruits that actually do best where conditions are hot and dry. Figs, pomegranates, papaya and dates are just a few that come to mind, but mangoes are by far the most popular.