Tropical sleeves

MANGO

The mango is a tropical fruit of great history, present for six thousand years in the most ancient tribes of the tropics and chosen as national fruit in India. Originally from northwest India and northern Myanmar on the slopes of the Himalayas, it is cultivated in Southeast Asia, South Africa, Egypt, Israel and Indonesia. In America it is present in Florida, Hawaii, Mexico, Brazil, Cuba and Central American countries. In Spain it is produced in Malaga, Granada and the Canary Islands.

Characteristics: It belongs to the Anacardiaceae or cashew family, which has more than 50 different species, of which only a few are used as edible fruit. Its fruit is fleshy, its weight varies from 150 g to 2 Kg with an oval shape somewhat oblong, obtuse at the ends; its skin is smooth and thick with a color that varies from green, yellow with pink, red or violet tones where it receives direct sunlight. Its pulp is of an intense yellow color bordering on orange; juicy and refreshing, especially when it is well ripe. Its stone is fibrous and often penetrates the pulp.

Its varieties are: Mulgoba, Amino, Pairi, Cambodian, Sansersha among others.

Consumption: Present in haute cuisine, despite being a fruit, it is mainly used in the preparation of savory dishes. Its flavor is very particular and persistent on the palate, exotic and sweet with a strong aroma when ripe. It is used for making soups, curries, chutney (unripe green mango is used) and personally I love it when it is green in salad seasoned with lemon or lime to enhance its flavor, accompanied by bitter vegetables such as arugula or watercress. Its main consumption is as fresh fruit, although it is also used to make juices, fruit salads, fruit salads, jams and marmalades. The best time of the year for its consumption is in the European winter.

Know how to buy: Discard those with black areas, those with perfect and seductive skin may have their pulp in bad condition. The best ones should be flexible when pressed with the finger, aromatic and even if the skin is a little wrinkled and with some spots, they can be the best. When they are green they can resist up to 27 days in very good condition if kept in the refrigerator, to ripen leave at room temperature and consume preferably during the next 5 days.

Trick to know if it is ripe: It is immersed in water, if it sinks it is ripe, if it floats it will be green.

Properties of the Mango:

Very rich in minerals, vitamins, fibers and anti-oxidants. Its main component is water, provides a large amount of carbohydrates increasing its caloric value, very rich in magnesium and minerals present are phosphorus, calcium and potassium, also provides Vitamins A and C fulfilling its antioxidant function. It has diuretic qualities and helps in the intestinal transit for its contribution of fiber

Recipes with Mango:

• Mango salad
• Mango and papaya salad
• Tropical fruit salad
• Macedonia of fruits of the forest
• Fruit salad
• Tropical salad
• Tropical orange and beet salad
• Tropical pineapple and seafood salad
• Homemade Chutney

Information provided by Adefrutas.