Mango - The King of Fruits

Known in Different ways:

The earliest name given to the mango was Amra-Phal. It is also referred to in early Vedic literature as Rasala and Sahakara, and is written about in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad and the Puranas, which condemn the felling of mango trees. On reaching South India, the name translated to Aam-Kaay in Tamil, which gradually became Maamkaay due to differences in pronunciation. The Malayali people further changed this to Maanga. The Portuguese were fascinated by the fruit on their arrival in Kerala and introduced it to the world as Mango.

Preparation and serving method

1. Wash mangoes in cold running water in order to remove dust/dirt and any surface chemical residue. Mop dry its outer skin using a soft cloth. Mango fruit should be eaten all alone without any seasonings/additions to experience its rich flavor.
2. Cut the fruit lengthwise into three pieces in such a way that the middle portion consists of husky seed. Then, slice through the skin to separate the skin from the pulp. Chop pulp into desired sections.
3. Alternatively, using a sharp knife, cut through the flesh on either side of the central seed (stone). This way, you get two big halves of a mango fruit and a central stone portion. Then, take one-half and score the flesh in a horizontal and vertical pattern taking care not to cut deep through the skin. 

Serving Tips:

1. Mango fruit can be enjoyed all alone without any seasonings/additions.
2. Fresh mango cubes are a great addition to fruit salads.
3. Mango juice with ice cubes is a popular, delicious drink.
4. Mango fruit juice blended with milk as "mango milkshake." Mango fruit is also used to prepare jam, jelly, ice cream and in sweet-candy industries.
5. Unripe, raw, green mango has been in use in the preparation of pickles, jam (marmalade), and chutney in the Asian countries.

Medicinal Values:

 

Scientists tested mangos and found they prevent or stop certain colon and breast cancer cells in lab studies. They also showed some impact on lung, leukemia, and prostate cancers, but the most prominent effectiveness was against breast and colon cancer lines, which underwent apoptosis, or programmed cell death, and the mango polyphenolics did not harm normal cells.