Not many fruits have the range and diversity of a mango. You can toss chunks of this sweet stone fruit in a breakfast smoothie or a Mediterranean lunch salad. Or, enjoy one of the many Indian chutney or curry entrées that use puréed mango to add a sweet and distinct flavor, followed by any number of mango-centric desserts, from puddings to cobblers or rich and decadent mango cheesecakes.
Here, Susen Agriculture Owner Denis Shkutko removes some of the mystery of these unique stone fruits by sharing five incredible facts about mangoes that you likely never knew!
5 True and Interesting Mango Facts
- Mangoes love the heat
Yes, it’s true. If you want your mango to ripen more, don’t place it in the fridge. These soft and sweet drupes ripen best if kept warm or at room temperature. You can always tell when a mango is ripe because the flesh will give in with a little squeeze. The fruit will also exude a citrusy fragrance similar to pineapple and eventually begin to smell like honey as it ripens even more.
- Mangoes have an exotic history
Regarded as the Queen of exotic fruits that hail from tropical lands, mangoes originate from the warmest climates around the world. They originally came from parts of South Asia, including Burma and India. Today, this delicious fruit is grown in tropical and subtropical lands worldwide, including China, the Middle East, Africa, South America, and even in the southernmost parts of the US, including Florida and California. The unique paisley pattern shape and exquisite flavor of mangos confirm its distinction as an exotic fruit!
- It’s all in the family!
Mangoes are a fruit, but the tree family they belong to, Anacardiaceae, is the same evolutionary group from which the cashew and pistachio trees come. For this reason, some people who have nut allergies may also be allergic to the mango fruit. While the flesh and the stone of mangoes do not harbor the same reactive compounds as other plants within this family, those with skin sensitivities should wash the fruit well before handling it.
- Mangoes are a superfood
Mangoes are a nutrient-rich food with plenty of vitamin A, and they are high in fiber. But that’s not all! Eating mango fruit is a great way to get more vitamin C, B6, and K into your diet. With this powerful combination of nutrients, expect the benefits of improved gut health, blood pressure regulation, added support for heart health, and the benefits of improved skin and hair.
- There is a vast variety of mango trees
Aside from apple trees, few fruit trees have as vast a variety as the mango tree. And, just like apples, each tree produces a distinct texture, taste, and look of the fruit. These include the popular red and yellow blush mangoes with a mild flavor to the greener and much more tart-flavored variety that is more commonly eaten in Asian countries. While only about 300 mango varieties are grown for commercial use, it is believed that there may be up to 1000 mango varieties across the globe.
Denis Shkutko owns Susen Agricultural Products, a commercial fruit distributor that specializes in planting, growing, and harvesting various tropical fruits and common vegetables, from mango to dragonfruit, pineapple, kiwi, and coconut.
Foshan Susen Agricultural Products Co.Ltd.
export@susenfruit.com
Denis Shkutko
+8718924851181
