A lot has been written about the history and goodness of mangoes. Here are a few interesting snippets for mango lovers.
- The mango is known as the “King of fruits” around the world.
- The word mango comes from the Tamil language. In Tamil, the fruit is called “Mangkay.” The Portuguese later adopted the name “Manga.”
- The mango originated around the 5th century BC in East India, Burma and the Andaman islands. It was taken to Africa and the Middle East by Persian traders. From there, it spread to Brazil and the West Indies. Now various varieties of mangoes are cultivated in many countries around the world.
- In ancient times, it was considered to be a matter of great prestige and honor to own a mango grove. Hence, many kings and nobles owned mango groves and mangoes were considered to be a very choice gift.
- Mangoes are a rich source of nutrients.
- Pakistani mangoes are renowned the world over for their aroma, texture and distinct taste.
- Pakistani mangoes are considered to be among the juiciest of the various mango varieties.
- Pakistani mangoes taste better chilled than at room temperature.
- The “Sindhri” mango milkshake is considered to be really special and is very popular the world over.
- The optimum temperature for mango ripening is 70-75 F.
- Mangoes ripen best when placed in a dark area at the right temperature and humidity.
- Never refrigerate or freeze a mango before it ripens. This will interfere with the ripening process.
- You can refrigerate the mango after it ripens to extend its shelf life.
- Do not keep moving the ripe mango in and out of the refrigerator. Take out the ripe refrigerated mango only for consumption.
- Do not worry if you find small dark spots on the skin. These only indicate that the mango has high sugar content and is sweet.
- The mango needs to breathe to ripen properly. Do not cover it or place it in airtight containers.
- Do not poke the mango to check for ripening. This will result in uneven ripening and will take away from the taste and texture.
Mangoes are not just great tasting fruits but a true treasure trove of vital nutrients.
- Mangoes are a good source of fiber. A good percentage of the mango pulp is made up of fiber that is soluble. It contains Pectin.
- Mangoes are a rich source of Vitamin A, C and B6
- Mangoes contain a variety of carotenoids that include Beta carotene and other Phytonutrients.
- Mangoes are also an excellent source of carbohydrates.
- Diet conscious consumers usually ask about the Mangoes glycemic index. This ranges from 41 to 60. But it should be understood that this varies from one variety to another.
Reams have been written about the divine taste of mangoes and poets have gone delirious describing the exquisite taste of the mango nectar. But there is more to mangoes than its super delicious pulp and refreshing juice. Love for the “King of fruits” has spawned a multi million-dollar industry catering to an ever-growing breed of mango lovers who can’t seem to get enough of this magnificent fruit. Mango jams, chutneys, pickles and extracts line the shelves of super markets around the globe.
The mango, being of Asian origin, has long been an integral part of curries and other eastern dishes. The mango is used both in its raw and ripe form in various tantalizing dishes ranging from rice-based dishes to non-vegetarian curries and fillings. The mango is now a global favorite and is steadily invading kitchens across the world with its intoxicating flavors and aromas. Every single day, new recipes appear out of nowhere and continue to spread the magic of Mangoes. Here is a taste of the recipes that are conquering palates across the globe. It will be next to impossible to list all the recipes from various parts of the world, but we will try to give you a small sampling from the various cuisines. This will give you an idea of the ever-expanding possibilities of using mangoes to embellish your culinary skills.
Orange Mango Soup
Serves 4
Ingredients 1. 3 large very ripe Mangoes 2. 1 large navel Orange 3. One and a half cups of buttermilk 4. One and a half cups of Orange juice 5. Lemon juice to taste 6. 2 tsp honey 7. Mint leaves
Directions The rinds should be removed from the oranges and set aside. Peel the Orange and remove the pith. Now slice the Orange into 4 pieces and refrigerate. Puree the Orange rind and Mango flesh in a food processor until smooth. Strain the puree through a fine sieve into a one and a half quart container. Add the Orange juice, buttermilk and honey to taste. The soup should have the consistency of whipped cream. If you feel that it is too thick, add a little more buttermilk. You should chill the soup for 2 days before serving. Add lemon juice and more honey just before serving. Garnish the soup with an orange slice and mint leaves before serving.
Chicken in green mango
Ingredients
1 medium green mango peeled and sliced Chicken- about 450 grams, skinned, boned and cubed Corn oil- 2 table spoons Curry leaves – 4 to 5 Ginger pulp – I tablespoon Water- 300 ml 2 green chilies cut Onions- 2 medium sized, sliced I tablespoon of chili powder ½ tablespoon of garlic pulp I tablespoon of coriander powder 2 tablespoons of cut coriander 2 medium sized Tomatoes, quartered 1 tablespoon of salt 1/4 tablespoon of turmeric 1/4 tablespoon of onion seeds
Directions
Place the chicken cubes in a circular dish and add the ginger, garlic, onion seeds, chili powder, turmeric, coriander powder and salt. Mix the spices into the chicken. Now add half of the mango slices to this mixture.
Heat oil in a medium sized saucepan and fry the onions until they turn golden brown. Now add the curry leaves. Add the chicken pieces to this. Take care to stir continuously.
Now pour in the water and lower the heat. Let the dish cook for about 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until the chicken is well cooked and the water is fully absorbed.
Now add the remaining mango slices, tomatoes, fresh coriander and chilies and serve hot.
These recipes are just a sampling from the hundreds of thousands of dishes that can be made using the Mango. Mangoes are now used widely in cooking around the world cutting across various culinary styles. One only has to let one’s imagination run wild to come up with an all new mango dish! So, happy cooking with “Honey Mangoes” products!
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