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Mango FAQs
Published May 20, 2020. Read time: 8 mins
All About Mango
There are hundreds of species of mangoes that grow across the world, but the most common to find in the US are Tommy Atkins, Keitt, Kent, Osteen, Haden, and Valencia Pride. All of the mangoes come from the two main strains, one originating in India and the other in Southeast Asia and the Philippines.
In fact, mangoes can be traced back to India, being mentioned in Hindu literature as far back as 4000 BCE. Mangoes are the national fruit of India, Pakistan, and the Philippines where they are known by the nicknames King of Fruit, Apple of the Tropics, and Fruit of the Gods.
And rightfully so. Mangoes are an absolutely delicious sweet fruit with the perfect amount of tartness, which goes well in desserts, smoothies, salads or paired with savory and spicy dishes as well.
What Is Mango
Mangoes are stone fruits (drupes) whose trees of the Mangifera genus grow in tropical locations and belong to the cashew family Anacardiaceae. Mongo trees can grow up to 130 feet tall.
Mangoes are thought to have arrived on the Hawaiian islands in 1824 aboard the ships of Captain John Meek, coming from Manila, Philippines. The inhabitants liked them so much that the trees kept coming on successive journeys and were planted all over the islands.
Mangoes come in a variety of different hues of yellow, red, and green. They have a smooth leathery skin that is inedible. The soft and juicy orange flesh inside surrounds a large, hard seed pod that is also inedible.
What Color Is Mango
Mangoes have a smooth leathery skin that come in different hues of yellow, red, and green depending on the variety. A ripe mango has a soft, juicy, orange flesh.
How To Tell If Mango Is Ripe
The colors of mango can range during ripeness and based on variety. The best way to tell if a mango is ripe is by the way it feels. Hold the mango like you would an avocado or a peach and give it a gentle squeeze. A ripe mango will have a little bit of give. Sometimes you can even catch a fruity aroma at the stem end of a mango when it's ripe.
How To Prepare Mangoes
Mangoes have a smooth, leathery skin that is inedible, as well as a large seed pod at the center. Follow these simple steps to cut and prepare your mango:
- Using a peeler, peel the skin from the mango and toss it into your compost or green waste.
- Cut the sides off vertically, avoiding the seed in the center. If you hit the center, just adjust your cut a little farther out. This should leave you with 2 fairly big pieces.
- Now trim off the rest of the fruit around the seed pod and discard the seed.
Now you have all the fruit ready to slice, dice, or toss into the blender for your smoothie. The options are endless.
Where Does Mango Grow
The largest producers of Mango in the world are India, China, Thailand, Indonesia, and Mexico. In the U.S., most commercial mangoes are grown in Hawaii and Florida.
Nutrition Of Mango
Mangoes are a tasty, nearly fat-free, and nutritious fruit, rich in vitamins A, C, E, K, and B6. They are a good source of fiber, potassium and copper.
One serving of 100g of raw mango contains:
- Calories: 65 g
- Carbohydrate: 17 g
- Dietary Fiber: 1.8 g or 7% of the RDI
- Total Fat: 0.3 g
- Protein: 0.5 g
- Vitamin A: 25% of the RDI
- Vitamin C: 46% of the RDI
- Vitamin E: 6% of the RDI
- Vitamin K: 5% of the RDI
- Vitamin B6: 7% of the RDI
- Potassium: 4% of the RDI
- Copper: 6% of the RDI
When Is Mango In Season
Mango season in Hawaii and Florida is from May to October. Depending on where you are in the world, though, or where your mangoes are coming from, they are typically available year- round.
What Does Mango Go In
Mangoes are a delicious and sweet treat. In India, they serve a type of smoothie called a Mango Lassi. In Thailand, they make a dessert called Mango Sticky Rice.
Mangoes are a popular fruit for fresh salsas and chutney.
You can use mango to top your ice cream or yogurt, or add a beautiful flair to a fruit or green salad.
They pair nicely with rich, soft cheeses and help to balance the heat in spicy dishes featuring chilis or jalapeños.
Mangoes, much like papaya, contain an enzyme that breaks down proteins. For that reason, mangoes are often used as a marinade to soften tough pieces of meat before cooking.
What Does Mango Smell Like
A ripe mango will have a sweet, pleasant smell. If it smells unpleasant or fermented, your mango is passing its ripeness.
What Does Mango Taste Like
Mangos are incredibly sweet with flavors ranging from tropical flowers to more citrusy notes, often with the perfect balance of tartness. Many people also find notes of peach, coconut, caramel, or vanilla.
How To Store Mangoes
If your mangoes are still a bit on the hard side, you can ripen them in a dark, room-temperature location. Make sure to keep checking them so they don't pass their peak.
Once mangoes are ripe, if you aren't going to eat them immediately, move them to the refrigerator where they can last up to 5 days.
If you have some cut mango left-over, put it in a plastic or glass container in the refrigerator. It will last a couple of days, just make sure to eat it!
Mangoes can also be frozen and consumed within 6 months. Simply cut them into cubes, discarding the skin, and place them in a plastic bag or container in the freezer.
Can Dogs Eat Mango
Mango fruit is a healthy and delicious treat for your pup in moderation. Too much mango may cause an upset tummy. Just make sure to toss out the rather large seed pod before feeding it to your furry friend, if swallowed it can be a choking hazard or cause intestinal blockages.
Does Mango Stain
Mango fruit is incredibly juicy and can even be a bit slippery, increasing the chances that it will land on your clothes.
The most important thing is to treat spills immediately. Remove any fruit residue from the article of clothing. Then use a dry cloth to soak up the moisture on the stain. Once that's done, run water over the affected area then wash the article of clothing as normal, making sure not to machine dry until you verify that the stain is fully gone.