London: Taiwanese Irwin mangoes have recently made their debut in the United Kingdom, drawing favorable reactions from British consumers who sampled the fruit at a Taiwanese specialty supermarket in London. The mangoes, noted for their sweet flavor and delicate texture, have been well-received by local shoppers.

According to Focus Taiwan, LingerMart, a supermarket located in London's Richmond district and operated by Taiwanese entrepreneur Gili, introduced the Irwin mangoes to the U.K. market. The store imported a box of 14 mangoes from Taiwan as a trial run, with plans to assess their performance in the local market. LingerMart offers preorders for these mangoes on its online platform, with deliveries expected in July. Customers can choose between a 2.5-kilogram box priced at £117.99 and a 5-kilogram box priced at £192.99.

Jane, a British shopper, described the mangoes as "absolutely beautiful," emphasizing their sweetness and unique aftertaste. Sasha, another shopper, appreciated their less fibrous texture compared to mangoes typically found in London grocery stores. LingerMart plans to begin in-store sales of the fruit in early July.

Gili's decision to introduce Taiwanese mangoes was inspired by their successful entry into the French market. The entrepreneur aims to deliver fresh mangoes directly from Taiwan to U.K. consumers. Following the mangoes, LingerMart intends to import other seasonal Taiwanese fruits such as dragon fruit, lychees, and pomelos, as well as Taiwanese seafood and specialty agricultural products.

Fan Chih-lun, international trade manager at LingerMart, noted that high-quality Taiwanese fruit is better suited for the premium segment rather than mainstream U.K. supermarkets. The fruit has already piqued the interest of higher-end restaurants looking to purchase it. LingerMart's broader mission is to showcase Taiwan's high-quality fruit production to U.K. consumers.