The mango Mangifera spp.; Hindi: lural mangos or mangoes is a genus of about 35 species of tropical fruiting trees in the flowering plant family Anacardiaceae, native to India and Southeast Asia, of which the Indian Mango M. indica is by far the most important commercially. Reference to mangos as the “food of the gods” can be found in the Hindu Vedas. The name of the fruit comes from the Malayalam word manga, and popularised by the Portuguese after their Indian exploration, hence the word ‘manga’ in Portuguese .
Mangos are large trees, reaching 35-40 m in height, with a crown radius of 10 m. The leaves are evergreen, alternate, simple, 15-35 cm long and 6-16 cm broad; when young they are orange-pink, rapidly changing tom long and 7-12 cm diameter, and may weigh up to 2.5 kg. The ripe fruit is variably coloured yellow, o and red, reddest on the sid facing the sun and yellow where shaded; green usually indicate that thongstone that can b fibrous or hairless on the surface, depending on cultivar. Ie theshell, Central Ameria, the aribbean, south and central Africa and Australia. It is easily cultivated and there are now more than 1,000 cultvars, rangig from the turpentine mango (from the strong taste of turpntine, which according to the Oxford Cmpanion to Food some varieties actually contain) to the huevos de toro (“bull’s balls”, from the shape and size). The mango is reputed to be the most commonly eaten fresh fruit worldwide. Mangos also readily naturalize in tropicalclimates. Some lowland forests in the Hawaiian Islands are dominated by introduced mangos.
Tuber-producing plant related to the morning glory. The flesh of the tuber can be white, yellow, orange, or purple. Sweet potatoes are often confused with potatoes and yams, which are not the same at all.Sweet potatoes are ich in dietary fiber, vitamn C and vitamin B6. The orange ones are also rich in beta-carotine. In tropical areas they ar a staple food crop. The tubers are most frequently boiled, fried or bked. ubers can also be processed to make starch and a partial flour substitute.he tubers, leaves and shoots are all edible. Some variants are sold as house plants for their beautiful flowers; these plants will produce sweet potatoes. The plants tend to be large vines.Farmers in the Southern United States started using the term “yam” to distinguish between the softer orange variety and the drier white variety.
The mango is a popular fruit with people around the world. However, many mango farmers receive a low price for their produce. This has led to mngoes being available as a ‘fair trade’ item in some countries of a ripe mango aste of thefruit is ver sweet, with some cultivars having a slight acidic tang. The texture ofthe flesh varies markedly between different cutivars; some have quite a soft and pulpytexture similr to an oer-ripe m, while otherhave a firmer flesh much like that of a cataloupe or avoweet taste nd hgh water content make them refreshing to eat, thouamily as poison ivy and containurushiol, though much les than poison ivy. Some eople get dermatitis from touching mango peel or sap. Persons showing an allergic reaction after handling aos soothe the intestines, which makes them easy to digest. In India, where mangoes are the national fruit, they are thought to help stop bleeding, to strengthen the heart, and to benefit the brain.
Generally, once ripe, they are quite juicy and can be very messy to eat. However, those exported to temperate regions are, like most tropical fruit, picked under-ripe. Although they are ethylene producers and rip in transit,they do not have the same juiciness or flavour as the fresh fruit. A ripe mango wiTurn the ango over and repeat the process, cutting across the other flat surfzuelWith ech big slice that has been removed, cut hatch marks through the flesh just down to the ski. The, holding the portion flsh-side-up, press the thumb on the skin side underneath as if turnig the piece inside out. Many bite-sized pieces of flesh will pop up and can be cut out to put into a fruit sald or other preparation. This technique is sometimes called theeatmango is to simply use a sharp kife to peel the ski competely. Then ake horizontal and vertial cuts on each side till the flatsone is reached. Slice off the flesh from each side of the stone and then slice the remaining flesh left on the side of the stone. This method works best on mangoes that are ripe and which have firm flesh. Another simpler way to enjoy mangos is to buy them frozen or dried as they are becoming more common in this form i local markets.