Origin / growing areas

Mangos are cultivated beyond the borders of East Asia in South and Southeast Asia, several regions of East and West Africa, South Africa and climatically suitable (sub)tropical regions of North and South America.

Description

Mangos are stone fruits that grow on evergreen trees ranging in height from 10 to 30 metres. They came originally from East Asia (India, the Malay Archipelago and South China). Mangos have been cultivated in India for over 4,000 years, and India is still the world’s leading mango-producing country today. They are regarded in India as the national fruit and credited with mysterious powers.

Distinctive features

The mango has the highest provitamin A content of all known species of fruit and its vitamin C content is comparable to that of the lemon. It also contains many essential minerals and has a beneficial effect on the digestive system.

Fruit

Mangos come in different sizes ranging from plum- to melon-size. There are roughly 1,000 different types with different shapes (oval, round or heart-shaped) and colours (green, orange, yellow or red). The fruits weigh between 100 grams and two kilograms. Beneath the inedible, leathery skin is the more or less fibrous, tender, apricot-coloured flesh, which surrounds an elongated pit that is difficult to remove.

Flavour

The flesh of the mango contains a great deal of juice, and, depending on the type, has a slightly sweet or slightly tart flavour and an aroma similar to that of a peach. Many juice producers use mangos for smoothies, but they are also popular as a supplementary ingredient in fruit juices and other fruit beverages.