Mangoes ... so luscious and juicy, some say magical

The fragrant sweetness, rich flavour and succulent texture of this magical fruit is highly seductive. To test a mango for ripeness, press the ends firmly - if they yield slightly to the pressure, they should be ready to eat. Otherwise, if it's not quite ready, mangoes can be left to ripen in a sunny spot.

Mangoes are now grown in many tropical and sub-tropical regions and come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colours. They can be round, oval, kidney-shaped or egg-shaped, with yellow, green, red or purple-flushed skin. Their stones can be large or small, their skin can be thin or thick and their flesh yellow or orange, with varying degrees of fibrousness.

The majority of Asian mangoes have a delicate skin and a short shelf life. For that reason, they're flown into Britain (mainly from India and Pakistan), so are more expensive. The thicker-skinned varieties, such as Keitt and Kent, are shipped in by sea year-round. Importers follow mango seasons from country to country. The chief exporters of thick-skinned mangoes are Puerto Rico, Mexico, Israel, South Africa and Peru.

Everyone has their favourite type of mango although there's no doubt that some of the Asian varieties have a particularly fine flavour and soft, non-fibrous texture.

Thin-skinned mangoes are best for eating raw or, when unripe, using in chutneys. Thick-skinned mangoes are better for South American-style salsas and European-style puddings. Try them mixed into a pavlova topping or chopped into fruit salads. If not fully ripe, it's worth letting them ripen on your windowsill to maximise their flavour. They're ripe when they gently give at their stem end. Colour isn't a reliable indication of ripeness because some varieties remain green even when ripe. Mangoes should be kept at room temperature, rather than chilled, to maximise their flavour.

Mangoes are luscious and juicy, and with more than 20 different vitamins and minerals – what’s not to like about mangoes? Having originated in India 5,000 years ago, this tropical fruit is now cultivated in South and Central America, the Caribbean Islands, and other warm areas of the world.

Mangoes are a wonderful addition to salads, along with other fruits such as mandarin oranges, grapes, apples, and pineapples. Impressive amounts of vitamin C, vitamin A, and flavonoids like beta-carotene, alpha-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin in mangoes help provide benefits, such as healthy immune function, normal blood pressure, good vision and strong bones, plus added protection from lung, mouth, colon, breast and prostate cancers, leukaemia, and stroke. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) produces hormones in your brain.

Mangoes can be made into a delicious sauce for meats, which is just one recipe among hundreds that place this exotic fruit on your table for benefits far beyond good taste.

However, consume mangoes in moderation because they contain fructose which may be harmful to your health in excessive amounts.

Cod with cucumber, avocado & mango salsa salad

each serving has 12g Fat 25g Protein 15g Carbs - you can see recipe here

Quinoa salad with mint and mango

Jazz up quinoa with fresh mint and mango - see recipe here

Mango and Lime Mousse

This mousse is simple to make and contains no added sugar - see recipe here

Do you like Mango? Will you be trying out any of these recipes?
We bring a variety of articles, studies etc. plus recent news/views and recipe ideas to this blog, we hope something for everyone to read and enjoy. Please note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan