Ingredient Lore #3: Mango
A summer love
Source: Fine Dining Lovers
Woohoo it’s summer time! Falai is so excited for picnics and reading under the tree. With warmer temperatures and sunny weather, this calls for refreshing desserts to cool off from the heat. Recently if you’ve stopped by the recent farmers’ markets, you may have noticed some new delicious menu items at our Marupo Eats stall - mango sago, and mango sticky rice summer rolls! Sweet, light and tangy, these are the perfect treats to quench your thirst from the summer heat, and enjoy a little dessert time.
Mangoes are one of the first fruits that comes to mind when we think about summer fruits. But how much do we know about them? In this post, we will cover:
A brief history of mangoes
The different types of mangoes
How mangoes are used in different cuisines
🥭How were mangoes first discovered?
Mangoes were first discovered in the Indian subcontinent region. According to ancient Hindu scriptures and texts, mangoes existed in South Asia for over 4000 years! These fruits were noted for their religious and cultural importance, as they were a symbolism for love, fertility and prosperity.
The mango tree is also a sacred fruit, revered as Kalpavriksha, or the Tree of Life. Because of this, these fruits are often used as adornments and offerings to deities as an act of devotion and worship.
Mangoes spread outside of South Asia due to Buddhist monks and traders. During the 4th and 5th centuries BCE, Buddhist monks carried mango seeds to Southeast Asia for religious purposes. Similar to Hinduism, mangoes symbolize a potential for enlightenment. Later on during the 10th century CE, Persian and Arab traders introduced mangoes to the Middle East, and East Africa respectively. And by the 15th and 16th centuries, Portuguese explorers encountered mangoes and introduced them to their colonies in Africa and the Americas!
🥭What are the different types of mangoes?
Source: ABC News
There are thousands of varieties of mangoes in the world! As one of the top largest mango producers in the world, accounting for 45 to 50% of global mango production, India alone has 1,500 varieties! Because of this, sharing mangoes with one another is a form of strengthening social bonds and fostering the community spirit.
Apart from India, mangoes are also grown in other regions of the world with tropical and subtropical climates such as the Philippines, Thailand, Mexico and Brazil.
Source: Sukhis
There are a few kinds that are more commonly found around the world, like the ones in the image above. In US supermarkets, you will tend to find mangoes with a slight red blush to its skin. These are usually the Tommy Atkins variety from South America that have a savory taste.
Then, there are also Alphonso mangoes, nicknamed as the king of mangoes for its large size and incredible sweet flavor. While it ultimately comes down to personal preference, sweeter mangoes such as the Philippine Carabao mangoes, the smaller Ataulfo mangoes and Alphonso mangoes tend to be used in desserts or drinks like mango lassi, smoothies, and mango sago!
In case you cannot find fresh mango in your supermarkets, fear not! There is also canned mango, available all year round and as a backup in your cupboards if you need emergency mango.
🥭How are mangoes used in different cuisines?
With so many different kinds of mangoes, you can easily find yourself in mango paradise with all the different dishes and desserts you can make with this fruit. Here are some of Falai’s biased favorites:
Mango sago - a sweet chilled treat that is popular in Asia, particularly Hong Kong, Taiwan and Southeast Asia
Mango lassi - a creamy mango milkshake that is popular in South Asia
Mangonada - a Mexican dessert with mango sorbet, chamoy with a sprinkle of chili powder
Li Hing pickled mango - often found in Hawai’i, this is a mango pickled and tossed together with dried plums / li hing mui
Mango with sticky rice - a common dessert in Thailand and other parts of Asia, this is a dish with mango and sweet glutinous rice, drizzled with sweet coconut milk on top
Mango phirni - a simple Indian mango dessert with semolina, fresh mango pulp and condensed milk
Mangoes taste phenomenal in savory dishes too - from salads, to mango fish curry, and even as chutney and a dipping sauce (check out the recipes on this My Food Story page).
Source: Sinfully Spicy
🥭How do YOU use mangoes?
That’s the end of this post! Before Falai dashes off for a bowl of mango sago, let us know how you use mangoes in your dishes. What is your favorite type of mango? Do you have any tips on how to choose mangoes too?
Share the food, share the love right? Till next time!