Mango Facts
List of Mango Facts
Take time to tango with a mango – facts say you're in for a sweet treat!
• According to mango facts and statistics, over 87 countries now produce mangoes. The leading exporting nations are Mexico, Pakistan and the Philippines. Mangoes are more common now than in the not-so-distant past, so their prices have become more stable.
• Southeast Asia is where the mango was first cultivated. It has been growing in that region for over four thousand years. Many mangoes are grown in the sub-tropical and tropical areas of the world, where they grow best, because of the climate. Mango trees can grow up to sixty feet high, and mango trees start bearing fruit four to six years after they are planted.
• Most of the mangoes that we buy and consume in the United States are imported from Haiti, South America, the Caribbean and Mexico. There are over one thousand different varieties of the mango, facts observe, growing in many countries in the world.
• As with most fruits, mangoes are a very healthy food. They supply us with a good amount of Vitamins C and A, and they're a great source of potassium. They also contain beta-carotene, which is traditionally thought of as being good for healthy eyesight.
• Mangoes are a low-calorie treat, with the average-sized mango, facts say, having only 110 calories. They only have one gram of fat, and they provide you with dietary fiber.
• Mango growers will tell you that mangoes are a comfort food, and they can actually make you feel better. They are tasty, and, in addition to the anti-oxidants they provide, they also contain an enzyme that has stomach-easing properties much like the papain that you find in papayas. These enzymes act as an aid in digestion.
• Mangoes make a great marinade, due to the enzymes described above. In India, the natives use a powder made from ground mangoes as a type of seasoning, and a tenderizer.
• Mango facts have shown that the dietary fiber in the fruit protects against heart disease and high cholesterol. It may also help prevent some kinds of cancer.
• To select a ripe mango, facts say you can either smell the fruit or squeeze it. A mango that is ripe will have a full aroma, and they should be just a bit soft when you touch them. The best tasting mangoes have a bit of a yellow tinge when they are ripe, but the overall color can be green, yellow, orange or red. They are best ripened at room temperature, not in the refrigerator.
• For a mango-inspired meal, try a mango steak, where the meat is marinated with mango. It really adds a unique taste to the steak.
• Mango mousse cups are made by adding brown sugar, mango, cream cheese and whipped topping into a pastry shell. Sprinkle the top with coconut pieces for a garnish – what a great tropical treat!