Friday 13 April 2018

Profile On: Mango

In this edition of a "Profile On" we look at the delicious mango!

What is it?
It's a juicy stone fruit it belongs to the cashew genus Anacardiceae, which is also the same family as pistachios.

What does it look like?
The fruit varies in size, shape, colour. They can be yellow, orange, red or green and carry a single flat, oblong pit that can be fibrous or hairy on the surface, which does not separate from the pulp easily. They can be round oval or kidney shaped, and ranging from 5-25 cm in length and 140g to 2kg in weigh. The skin is leather-like waxy smooth and fragrant.

Other names?
It is sometimes known as The King of Fruits; and locally it is called mangot, manga, and mangou

Where's it from?
Native to South East Asia, it is now the most cultivated fruit in the tropics.

When is it available?
Mangoes are their best in Summer, although you may well find various cultivars that area available all year round.

How do I eat it?
Peel the mango from top to bottom, going deeper until you can see yellow pulp if the mango is not quite ripe. Determine the tallest line of the mango, as the pit will be sitting along that line. Slice the mango in half, avoiding the pit. Cut around the pip, and slice the cut halves. Slice them horizontally into smaller wedges. Then enjoy!

The skin of unripe, pickled or cooked mango can be consumed, but may cause contact dermatitis of the lips, gingiva or tongue in susceptible people.

What does it taste like?
The mango is sweet luscious, juicy. Some cultivars have a soft, pulpy texture similar to an overripe plum, while others are firmer like an avocado, and some have a fibrous texture.

What are the health benefits?

  • Rich in fibre
  • Low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium
  • Rich in vitamin B6, vitamin A and C
  • Rich in potassium, magnesium and copper
  • A tonic made from mangoes in Chinese medicine is used to treat bleeding gums, anaemia, cough, constipation, nausea, fever, sickness and as a cure for weak digestion



Do you like to eat mangoes? Let us know @office_fruit!

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