Know More about Mangos
The Plural of Mangoes is Mangos.
Mangos
One of this planet's most cherished tropical fruits is the fruit mango.
It is a kidney-shaped stone fruit with a rich, creamy texture and delicious sweet taste.
Raw and Ripe Mangos
When raw, it has dark green skin and a tangy sour taste. When Ripe, it has orange-yellow skin and a sweeter taste.
It comes from the Mangifera lineage of trees, which originated in Southeast Asia.
This fruit is said to have been founded in Burma. After originating in Burma, the fruit traveled quickly across Malay and Africa.
Definition in Dravidian Language
The fruit comes from Mankay, where Man means mango tree and Kay means fruit, in ancient Dravidian Tamil. In French, it is known as mangos.
Difference between two Variants
Today, the world consumes two races of this delicious fruit: Mangifera Indica or the Indian race and the one from Southeast Asia and the Philippines.
The biggest difference between these two races is that the Indian variant can't tolerate humidity while the Southeast Asian variant can.
Another important distinction is that the Indian variants have bright yellow to orangish-red shades. In contrast, the Southeast Asian variant is pale green.
Health Benefits of Mangos
The king of fruits is excellent for your health. Some of them are as follows:
- It is a source of vitamins. It contains vitamins A, C, and K.
- It is packed with antioxidants like beta carotene.
- Which gives the fruit a peculiar color and shields you from cancer.
- The natural sugar in the fruit reduces the harm caused by artificial sugar and controls blood sugar levels.
- It has digestive fibers that increase your gut health and aid digestion.
- It is packed with calcium. Thus, it makes your bones stronger.
- Antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, as well as vitamin A, improve vision. They shield your retina from the wear and tear that occurs because of aging.
- The Mangiferin compound present in the fruit helps with controlling blood pressure. As a result, this fruit improves heart health.
- This fruit contains vitamin K. It helps improve your hair and skin quality.
- It contains many minerals and vitamins which help improve your immune system.
Kalpavriksha (Devanagari: कल्पवृक्ष)
This tree is known as kalpapādapa, kalpadruma, or kalpataru. It is a wish-fulfilling divine tree in Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism.
Every part of the mango grove, from fruit to mango leaves, is helpful to your health.
Thus, it would be best if you ate mangoes daily.
Varieties of Mangoes
In India, this fruit comes in multiple variants. Some of them are as follows:
Alphonso The Hapus of India
Also known as Hapus, this variant is considered the best of all kinds. It has a richer, creamier texture and flavor. It has a distinct aroma that is second to none.
The taste and aroma of this variant depend on the soil and climate where it is grown. The Konkan region's volcanic soil, topography, and climate make it an ideal place to grow Hapus.
A Portuguese military expert Alfonso de Albuquerque brought this variant to India. He taught Indians the art of grafting.
Hapus found in the Devgad and Ratnagiri regions of Konkan is especially famous. They are known for thin mango skin and thick mango flesh.
These variants are so popular that they've earned a GI tag. A GI tag is a mark of quality usually awarded to regions that make the best of a particular good.
Kesar of Junagadh
This variant has a unique orange-red color. That is why it is called Kesar, which translates to saffron in English.
It is medium-sized, round, and has a distinct curve. This curve makes it different from other kinds.
This variant is so brilliant that it is called the Queen of this fruit.
The best quality of this variant is grown at the foothills of Girnar Hills in Junagadh, Gujarat.
Totapuri
This variant is exclusively grown in South India. It looks like a parrot beak.
It is called Ginnimoothi in Tamil, which translates to a parrot beak.
Bengaluru produces the best of this variant. It has a big size and thick flesh.
Dassehri
This variant is the most famous type from Uttar Pradesh. It was first grown in a small town, Kakori.
It has reached high popularity and even the Nawab's (King's) garden.
It is one of the most loved varieties of this fruit.
Neelam and Imam Pasand
These two variants are exclusively grown in South India. Imam Pasand is considered to be a hot favorite amongst the royal families.
A ripe Imam Pasand is mottle green in color. Neelam, on the other hand, is large and has a yellow-red color.
It has a herby aroma and an elliptical, pointy base.
While Imam Pasand is typical of Andhra Pradesh.
This delicious fruit is healthy and everyone's favorite! You need to consider a few general points when you buy any variant of this fruit.
- Always buy fruit that is firm to touch. Soft and mushy fruits have a shorter shelf life.
- The best way to test the quality of this fruit is by its smell. Every variant has a different smell, but it has a smell nevertheless. Don't buy odorless fruits.
- Make sure that the aam you buy is carbide-free. Carbide is a chemical that is commonly used to ripen aam quickly. Thus, a carbide-free fruit is a naturally ripened fruit.
- Always buy from a trusted seller. Fruits like these are exotic. So, buy from a trusted seller so that you are sure of the quality.
This is the finest fruit in the world. Live the season up to its fullest!