Because we live in a world of contradictions, it’s sometimes easy to accept things that seem at odds to be simultaneously true. But still, it’s not uncommon for us to get the question, “How can mango be simultaneously soft, juicy, and dried?”

It’s a good question, and one that deserves an answer. So we’ll give it a go. This is Chokanan mango, grown in Thailand, where it is harvested at the peak of ripeness, then peeled and sliced into strips (it’s the same type of mango you’ll find in our Chile Spiced Mango). The drying process is unique in that it uses vegetable-based glycerin to keep the mango soft – but never mushy – and mango juice is added in to give it a little extra moisture and further intensify the mango flavor.

If you like the taste of mango, but find peeling a fresh mango a hassle, or you’re not a fan of the typically tougher texture of traditional dried mango, Trader Joe’s Soft & Juicy Mango is right on the money for you.