Meet the King - Mango

King of nutrition

Mango botanically known as Mangifera Indica, it is rich in vitamins A, B1, B2 and C, and is believed to have originated in India over 4,000 years ago.Mangoes are an excellent source of carotene as compared to other fruits. Just 100 gms. of mango contain about 1990ug of beta-carotene (Vitamin A), which is much higher than in other fruits. The total carotenoids in mango increase with the stage of ripening. Eating mangoes in the season may provide a store of vitamin A in the liver. This is sufficient to last for the rest of the year and highly beneficial for the prevention of Vitamin A deficiency disorders like night blindness.

Mangoes, both ripe and unripe, are very good sources of Vitamin C. Up to 16 mg of Vitamin C are present in 100 gms. of mango. Both Vitamins A and C are anti oxidants and help to prevent free radical injury and thus reduce the risk of certain cancers. A ripe mango supplies 74 kcal per 100 gms. (mainly derived from fructose). Raw mangoes have fewer calories compared to ripe mangoes. The ripe mango fruit is also a good source of potassium and only traces of sodium makes it suitable for hypertensive patients.

* Rich in vitamins A, B1, B2 and C
* Low fat
* Saturated fat-free
* Very low sodium
* Cholesterol-free

Indian mango varieties

India is home to several varieties of mangoes. Each variety has a unique taste and flavour. The commercial varieties of mangoes include: Banginapalli, Totapuri (known locally as `Collector'), Suvarnarekha(Lalpari), Kothapalli Kobbari, Chinna Rasam, Cheruku Rasam, Pedda Rasam, Mallika (all these varieties are available locally), Neelam. Alphonso, Kesar, Langra, Dashehari, Fazili, Chousa, Ratole, Kaju, Mulgoa, Jahangir, Rumani, Himayat, Khatta Meetha, Panchadara Kalasa, Manjeera, Amrapali, Arkapuneet and Sindhu.

ALPHONSO MANGO:
Variously known as Alphonso, Alfonso, Alphanso, Hapus, Hapoos, Bombay variety, etc., this variety is often considered to be a king even amongst the 'King of fruits' and is widely considered to be the tastiest fruit in India. .Alphonso Mangoes are oval in shape and about 4 to 6 inches long. The skin of the ripe fruit is golden yellow in colour, but is inedible. It has a thin firm skin and a delicious pulp. The stone or seed is smaller than many varieties of mangoes and the yield of pulp is therefore much more than in many varieties.Many have tried planting cultivars of this famed variety in other parts of the world, but have not been able to match the original flavour of the Alphonso variety grown in the Konkan region of India. in the volcanic soil of this coastal zone.

State/Region:
Gujrat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh

Time of Arrival:
March end

This Year's Rate:
Rs 400-600 (regional)per box
Rs 800-1600 (top quality)per box

Characterstics:
Excellent quality for pulping and canning, mainly exported as fresh fruit to other countries.

KESAR:
This is a leading variety of Gujarat with a red blush on the shoulders. Fruit size is medium, shape oblong. The mango has a high pulp content, and a saffron color (hence the Indianname- 'Kesar').

State/Region:
Gujrat, Sinhgad(near Pune) and Aurangabad

Time of Arrival:
From May 15

This Year's Rate:
Rs 200-300 per box

Characterstics:
Mainly used as a table fruit, ideal for pulping and juice extracts.

BAINGANPALLI:
It is a commercial variety of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and also known as Chapta and Safeda. Fruit is large in size and obliquely oval in shape. The colour of the fruit is golden yellow.

DASHEHARI:
This variety derives its name from the village Dashehari near Lucknow. It is a leading commercial variety of north India and one of the best varieties of our country. The fruit size is medium, shape is oblong to oblong oblique and fruit colour is yellow.

State/Region:
Uttar Ptadesh, Haryana and Punjab

Time of Arrival:
June 15- August 15

This Year's Rate:
Rs 100-300 per box

Characterstics:
Among the best varities in the country, it is very rich in Vitamin C.

CHAUSA:
This variety originated as a chance seedling in the orchard of a Talukadar of Sandila district Hardoi, U.P. It is commonly grown in northern parts of India due to its characteristic flavour and taste. Fruit is large in size, ovate to oval oblique in shape and light yellow in colour.

State/Region:
Lucknow

Time of Arrival:
June

This Year's Rate:
Rs 200-300 per box

Characterstics:
One of the most delicious fruits available in this season, it has an attractive size plus juicy characteristics.

PAYARI:
Also known as the 'Pires' because of common belief that the Portugese cultivated the variety when they colonized Goain theKonkan region. It is possibly the No.2 mango from the Konkan region of India. Sold none taste quite like the Alphonso. The flavour is the result of a delicate balance And, if you are wondering what variety those delicious mangoes in the box you receive are,yes they will be Alphonso mangoes exclusively in wooden crates, it is sometimes more costly than the Alphonso variety as the cultivated crop size is decreasing. The Payri from Ratnagiri has its own cult following and often fetches higher market rate than the Alphonso mango. It is more colorful and has a unique beak at the bottom containing a watery pulp.

MALGIS:
One of the most colorful mangoes from the Konkan region of India, it has a unique taste and flavour.As it has higher water content with 'threads' of fibre, it is normally sucked and not cut.

RAJAPURI:
It is widely used to make various Indian products such as mango katki and chunda. It is a very large mango; weighing anywhere between 400 to 700 gms. per piece. It has a very thick skin, a small seed and a soft inside with little or no threads. It is also used to make 'muramba', a traditional recipe of mango pieces in sugar syrup.

TOTAPURI:
One of the most affordable mango varieties, it is aptly called the 'mango of the common man', as it is sold widely in all parts of India. It has a unique shape and a very thick skin, which allows it to be transported loose, and without any packing. Extensively used to make mango pulp, it has a light flavor. It has a very small stone and therefore, a higher pulp yield.

State/Region:
Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamilnadu

Time of Arrival:
May-July end

This Year's Rate:
Rs 225-250 per box

Characterstics:
It has good keeping quality, but is susceptible to bacterial spots.

NEELAM:
Another Indian variety that is widely consumed, the Neelam, is often seen in Indian markets just before the monsoons. Neelams are quite sweet if a little acidic in taste.

State/Region:
Orissa, Karnataka, Tamilnadu

Time of Arrival:
June end- August

This Year's Rate:
Rs 60-80 per box

Characterstics:
Mostly used for processing purposes.

Grab the King

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Selecting Your Mango

Mangoes aren't usually labeled with their variety names, but it's worth asking the fruit seller what's available. This way you will be able to take advantage of the differences in taste and texture.

The size of a mango depends on the variety; it is not an indicator of quality or ripeness. Although there are differences in color according to variety, most mangoes start off green and develop patches of gold,yellow,orred as they ripen (except for the Keitt,which stays primarily green,with only a hint of yellow).The Alphonso on the other hand,is one of the few mangoes that turns entirely golden yellow when ripe.

A ripe mango will yield to slight pressure when held between your hands. The skin should show a blush of either yellow-orange or red,which will increase in area as the fruit ripens.With a few notable exceptions like the Keitt, a completely greenish-gray skin indicates that the mango will not ripen properly.

A perfectly ripe mango will have an intense, flowery fragrance. Black speckles on the skin are characteristic of this fruit as it ripens,but an overabundance of black spots on a ripe mango, may indicate damage to the flesh beneath.A loose or shriveled skin is also a sign of a mango past its prime.

Storage

Under ripe mangoes are best left at cool room temperature for a few days to soften and sweeten. Extremely warm temperatures can cause the entire lot of mangoes to ripen too quickly. Placing mangoes together in a paper bag, or preferably in hay, can speed the ripening process (or, if you don't have many mangoes, put another fruit such as an apple with the mango). Choose the soft and sweet smelling mangoes and place them in a bowl of water at room temperature for about 15 minutes. This is very important. The mango is warm inside as the ripening process is going on. This stops the ripening process and brings out the best flavour of the mango.Ripe mangoes will last for two to three days in the refrigerator.

Preparing a mango for the table

The flesh of the mango clings to both the sturdy skin as well as the large, flat stone in the middle. There are several methods of slicing mangoes,some more exotic and complex than others.However, the Indian slicing method is of ten the simplest and most effective.

In this method, all you have to do is hold the mango in an upright position (as it would hang from the tree). Then, holding it firmly, slice each cheek of the mango, leaving about one finger's width of the center. A band of fruit will remain around the stone (seed). Use a paring knife to carefully loosen each half-fruit from its skin, then cut them into cubes, being careful not to slice through the skin. You can then turn the fruit inside-out so the cut side pops outward, and slice the cubes off the skin. Cut away the band of fruit left around the seed, then peel off the skin.

King of Cuisine

Mangoes make an exotic addition to fruit salads and can be pureed to make sorbets and ice creams, milk shakes, juices, jam, jellies, pickles and mango papad. Small ripe mangoes can be made into mouth-watering curries with coconut and buttermilk. Prawns and fish preparations taste well with raw, sour mangoes. Raw mango pickle and chutney titillate the taste buds. Peeled unripe mangoes can be cut into small thin pieces and dried in the sun after being seasoned with turmeric powder. This dried mango is known as `amchur' powder and is used as a souring agent in Indian cookery. The mango seeds are also edible. It is collected in the season, dried in the shade and powdered and stored to make many dishes. Here are a few mango-based recipe that you can try at home:

Aamras
Aamras(Mango juice) is the special marathi menu in the summer for festivals and special occasions.
Ingredients:
1 litre ripe mango juice
3/4 cup milk, chilled
200 gram sugar

Method:
Combine all ingredients.Blend until smooth and creamy. It is most delicious menu with Puran Poli(a special maharashtrian sweet dish).

Spicy Mango Salsa
Ingredients:
2 cups diced fresh mango
2 cups fresh peaches
2 cloves finely chopped garlic
2 tablespoons chopped fresh ginger root
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
2 pepper corns
1/4 cup fresh lime juice

Method:
In a large bowl, mix together the mangoes, peaches or nectarines, garlic, ginger and basil or cilantro. Then add a dash of pepper and the lime juice. Allow the whole mixture to chill for at least 2 hours and voila your mango salsa is ready!

Mango Pie
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups peeled and sliced ripe mango
2 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon melted butter
Pastry for two-crust pie, 9-inch

Method:
Combine mango slices, tapioca, sugar, salt, and melted butter. Toss to combine; let stand for 15 to 20 minutes.Roll out half the pastry thinly line the 9-inch pie pan with it.Roll out remaining pastry very thin. Fill shell with fruit mixture; moisten edge of crust. Place the top crust on filling, make several slits in top crust to vent steam. Trim top crust leaving it just a little larger than the pan. Press top crust and moistened bottom crust edge together; fold excess top under the bottom edge. Flute all around rim. Bake mango pie at 425 for about 50 to 60 minutes,or until top is well browned.

Mango Smoothie
Ingredients:
1 ripe mango, chopped - (approx.1-1/4 cups)
3/4 cup milk, chilled
1/4 cup nonfat vanilla yogurt
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 ice cubes
pinch of salt
fresh mint sprigs

Method:
Combine all ingredients except mint in blender. Blend until smooth and creamy. Garnish with mint.

Mango Health Shake
Ingredients:
2 cups orange juice
1/2 cup strawberries
1/2 cup raspberries
1/2 cup chopped mango
1/2 cup yogurt
1/2 cup ice cubes
2 tsp. ground flax seed
1/2 tsp. wheat germ
2 vitamin C tablets

Method:
Combine all ingredients in blender and blend about 1-2 minutes until smooth.

Indian Mango Salad
Ingredients:
1 large ripe mango, peeled
1 tbsp. groundnut oil
1 small hot red chilli, seeded and chopped
Small piece ginger, peeled and grated.
1 tsp black mustard seeds
Grated zest of a lime
250 ml natural yoghurt

Method:
1. Dice the mango into small dice and put into a small bowl with any juice.
2.Warm the oil in a small frying pan and cook the chilli, ginger and mustard seeds until the seeds start to pop.Add the lime zest and remove from the heat.
3. Stir gently into the mango and set aside. When cool, mix with the yoghurt and season with salt. Serve with grilled fish or meat.

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