July 24, 2012
One Juicy Mango
It’s mango season. Did you know…that more mangoes are eaten fresh all over the world than any other fruit? Here are a few more fun facts about this delicious treat.
- They’re a comfort food. They actually make your tummy feel better. In addition to being rich in vitamins and minerals, mangoes contain an enzyme that has soothing properties.
- Mangoes are available from April to September, but June and July usually offer the best pick and prices.
- Thought to be native to Southeast Asia, mangoes have been cultivated for more than 4,000 years.
- The tree is related to the pistachio and cashew (other distant relatives are poison ivy and poison oak) and grows to an average of 50 feet in height.
- There are male and female mango trees. Each tree produces about 100 mangoes. The female tree produces larger mangoes than the male tree.
- Depending on the variety, when ripe the color of mangoes can range anywhere from greenish-red, to orange-red, to yellow. Typically, the green areas are a little more tart.
- Size can vary. Smaller mangoes are usually found in Mexico, while the slighter larger mangoes are found in the US.
- Ripe mangoes should be slightly soft and should be very aromatic.
- If your mangoes are not ripe, put them in a paper bag on the counter for a few days.
Happy eating!
