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What is a Mango?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

A mango is a tropical fruit that originated in Southeast Asia. Food historians believe the mango has been cultivated for over 4,000 years in the areas in which it was initially found. It is now grown in most countries with tropical or near tropical climates. There are over 100 different types of mangoes, but most popularly known in the US are those species imported from Mexico and South America.

The mango fruit is a drupe, like nectarines and apricots, a fleshy fruit growing around a long flat seed. The fruits have an average length of five inches (12.7 cm) and weigh an average of one pound (approximate .5 kg). The ripened skin may be primarily yellow, or may be multi-hued with orange and red tones.

Mangoes, which are moist and sweet, can be added to a variety of dishes.
Mangoes, which are moist and sweet, can be added to a variety of dishes.

The mango tree is quite large. The largest can grow to be 65 feet (19.81 m) tall. Those trees in less than ideal climates may only achieve a third of that height when fully grown. The fruit was introduced to Southern California in the late 19th century, and with occasional frosts, the mature trees there are usually no more than 20 feet (6.09 m) tall.

Mango smoothies can be made at home with a blender.
Mango smoothies can be made at home with a blender.

Mangoes contain some of the same oils as do poison oak and poison ivy, and some people can have an allergic reaction to the oils on both the fruit skin and the leaves of the tree. In any case, the skin is not edible and is quite hard even when the fruit is ripe. The interior of most mangoes is a deep orange, though some varieties in Asia have white flesh.

Mangoes can be used when making lassi, a traditional drink from India.
Mangoes can be used when making lassi, a traditional drink from India.

When fully ripe, the mango may still be somewhat difficult to eat, as it is very juicy. Mangoes are best served either in long slices or in bite-sized cubes. They are still somewhat firm when ripe, and are also fibrous, composed of many long thin fibers that easily get stuck in between the teeth.

There is a distinct difference between mangoes purchased in stores in the US, in areas where they are not cultivated, and mangoes that can be obtained fresh off the tree. Most imported mangoes are picked unripe and allowed to ripen in transit. They do not attain the sugar levels, and hence the sweetness, of a freshly picked mango. If visiting a country where mangoes proliferate, one should definitely try them fresh, as they are far superior to the supermarket mangoes most can get in the US.

Sweet and peppery mango is sometimes diced and added to salsa.
Sweet and peppery mango is sometimes diced and added to salsa.

Mangoes are used in a number of dishes of Asian, Indian and South American origin. Many are familiar with the drink, Mango Lassi, in Indian and Himalayan restaurants. It combines pureed mango, yogurt and honey into a sweet and very popular smoothie drink. One may note mango added to salsas, particularly in Latin countries. Pork stir-fried with mango, or mango served with the popular sticky rice, are well-known Asian dishes.

Freshly peeled mangos are sometimes featured in Asian fruit salads.
Freshly peeled mangos are sometimes featured in Asian fruit salads.

American recipes suggest adding pureed mango to muffins and cookies. The fruit can either be offered in a dessert such as a mango crisp, or paired with light meats like pork, chicken or shrimp. It is a particularly nice addition to fruit salads and smoothies.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent DelightedCooking contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent DelightedCooking contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

spasiba

For one mango contains about 1.5mg of vitamin B3 per one medium size fruit. About 14 to 16 mg a day are needed for adults. Lack of vitamin B3 can cause headaches, diarrhea, memory loss and other ailments.

Mango also has vitamin C, beta carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin E.

anon56655

I would like to know what nutrients the mango provides.

tetrasolo

I must appreciate the information i get on your page.

I would like to know the different species of microbes that contaminate mango fruits?

milagros

When buying a mango, it should have a sweet, fruity smell, and a little give, similar to an avocado.

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    • Mangoes, which are moist and sweet, can be added to a variety of dishes.
      By: Dmitriy Melnikov
      Mangoes, which are moist and sweet, can be added to a variety of dishes.
    • Mango smoothies can be made at home with a blender.
      By: zirconicusso
      Mango smoothies can be made at home with a blender.
    • Mangoes can be used when making lassi, a traditional drink from India.
      By: Lilyana Vynogradova
      Mangoes can be used when making lassi, a traditional drink from India.
    • Sweet and peppery mango is sometimes diced and added to salsa.
      By: JJAVA
      Sweet and peppery mango is sometimes diced and added to salsa.
    • Freshly peeled mangos are sometimes featured in Asian fruit salads.
      By: pilipphoto
      Freshly peeled mangos are sometimes featured in Asian fruit salads.