Mango

he mango is a genus of about 35 species of tropical fruiting tree Tree

A tree is a large, perennial [i], wood [i]y plant [i]. ... 

s in the flowering plant Flowering plant

The flowering plants are a major group of land plant [i]s. ... 

 family Anacardiaceae Anacardiaceae

Anacardiaceae is a family of 72 genera of flowering plant [i]s bearing fruits that are drupe [i]s. ... 

. No one knows the exact origins of the mango but most believe that it is native to the Southern and Southeast Asian continent including Eastern India, Burma, and Bangladesh after fossil records were found there dating back 25 to 30 million years. The mango exists in two races, one from India and the other from the Philippines and Southeast Asia. The Indian race does not tolerate humidity well, has flushes of bright red new growth that are subject to mildew, and bears monoembryonic fruit of high color and regular form.

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Encyclopedia

The mango is a genus of about 35 species of tropical fruiting tree Tree

A tree is a large, perennial [i], wood [i]y plant [i]. ... 

s in the flowering plant Flowering plant

The flowering plants are a major group of land plant [i]s.... 

 family Anacardiaceae Anacardiaceae

Anacardiaceae is a family of 72 genera of flowering plant [i]s bearing fruits that are drupe [i]s. ... 

. No one knows the exact origins of the mango but most believe that it is native to the Southern and Southeast Asian continent including Eastern India, Burma, and Bangladesh after fossil records were found there dating back 25 to 30 million years. The mango exists in two races, one from India and the other from the Philippines and Southeast Asia. The Indian race does not tolerate humidity well, has flushes of bright red new growth that are subject to mildew, and bears monoembryonic fruit of high color and regular form. The southeast asian race tolerates excess moisture, has pale green or red new growth and resists mildew. Its polyembryonic fruit is pale green and elongated kidney-shaped. Reference to mangos as the "food of the gods" can be found in the Hindu Hindu

A Hindu , as per modern definition, is an adherent of the philosophies and scriptures of [[Hinduism]... 

 Vedas. The name of the fruit comes from the Tamil Tamil language

Tamil is a classical language [i] and one of the major language [i]s of the Dravidian language [i] ... 

 word mangaai, or the Malayalam Malayalam language

Malayalam is the language spoken predominantly in the state [i] of Kerala [i] ... 

 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 Leaf

In botany [i], a leaf is an above-ground plant [i] organ [i] specialized for photosynthesis [i]. ... 

 are evergreen Evergreen

In botany [i], an evergreen plant is a plant that retains its leaves [i] all year round, with each ... 

, alternate, simple, 15-35 cm long and 6-16 cm broad; when young they are orange-pink, rapidly changing to a dark glossy red, then dark green as they mature. The flower Flower

A flower,rflorem<flos), also known as a bloom or blossom, is the reprod ... 

s are produced in terminal panicle Panicle

A panicle is a compound raceme [i], a loose, much-branched indeterminate inflorescence [i] with pedicellate [i] ... 

s 10-40 cm long; each flower is small and white with five petals 5-10 mm long, with a mild sweet odour suggestive of lily of the valley Convallaria

Convallaria majalis, commonly known as the Lily of the Valley or Prolificans Lily-of-the-Va... 

. After the flowers finish, the fruit takes from three to six months to ripen.

The mango fruit Fruit

The term fruit has different meanings depending on context.... 

 is a drupe Drupe

In botany [i], a drupe is a type of fruit [i] in which an outer fleshy part surrounds a shell of harde ... 

; when mature, it hangs from the tree on long stems. They are variable in size, from 10-25 cm long and 7-12 cm diameter, and may weigh up to 2.5 kg. The ripe fruit is variably coloured yellow, orange and red, reddest on the side facing the sun and yellow where shaded; green usually indicates that the fruit is not yet ripe, but this depends on the cultivar Cultivar

A cultivar is a cultivated plant [i] that has received a name under the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants [i] ... 

. When ripe, the unpeeled fruit gives off a distinctive resin Resin

Resin is a hydrocarbon [i] secretion [i] of many plant [i]s, particularly coniferous trees [i]... 

ous slightly sweet smell. In the center of the fruit is a single flat, oblong seed that can be fibrous or hairless on the surface, depending on cultivar. Inside the shell, which is 1-2 mm thick, is a paper-thin lining covering a single seed Seed

A seed is the ripened ovule [i] of gymnosperm [i] or angiosperm [i] plant [i]s. ... 

, 4-7 cm long, 3-4 cm wide, 1 cm thick.

Cultivation and uses

The mango is now widely cultivated as a fruit tree in frost Frost

Frost, like snow [i], is the result of deposition [i] of water vapor [i] in saturated [i] ... 

-free tropical and subtropical climates throughout the Indian subcontinent Indian subcontinent

The Indian subcontinent is a peninsula landmass [i] of the Asia [i]n continent [i] occupying the Indian Plate [i] ... 

, North North America

North America is a continent [i] in the Earth [i]'s northern hemisphere [i] and almost fully in the western hemisphere [i]... 

, South South America

South America is a continent [i] situated in the western hemisphere [i] and, mostly, ... 

 and Central America Central America

Central America is the central geographic [i] region [i] of the Americas [i]. ... 

, the Caribbean Caribbean

The Caribbean is a region [i] of the Americas [i] consisting of the Caribbean Sea [i], its island [i]s... 

, south and central Africa Africa

Africa is one of the greatest sized continents of the Earth.... 

, Australia Australia

Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere [i] c ... 

 and Southeast Asia Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion [i] of Asia [i], consisting of the countries th ... 

. It is easily cultivated Agriculture

Farming redirects here. For Farming in computer games, see Farmer [i].
... 

 and there are now more than 1,000 cultivar Cultivar

A cultivar is a cultivated plant [i] that has received a name under the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants [i] ... 

s, ranging from the turpentine mango to the huevos de toro . The mango is reputed to be the most commonly eaten fresh fruit worldwide. Mangos also readily naturalize in tropical climates. Some lowland forests in the Hawaiian Islands Hawaiian Islands

The Hawaiian Islands, once known as the Sandwich Islands, form an archipelago [i] of nineteen island [i] ... 

 are dominated by introduced mangos and it is a common backyard fruit tree in South Florida South Florida metropolitan area

The South Florida metropolitan area is an informal name for the Miami [i]Fort Lauderdale [i] ... 

 where it has also escaped from cultivation.

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 mangoes being available as a 'fair trade Fair trade

Fair Trade is an organised social movement [i] which promotes equitable standards for international labour [i] ... 

' item in some countries.

The fruit flesh of a ripe mango contains about 15% sugar Sugar

In general use, non-scientists take "sugar" to mean sucrose [i], also called "table sugar" or saccharose, a wh ... 

, up to 1% protein Protein

Proteins are large organic compound [i]s made of amino acid [i]s arranged in a linear chain and joined b ... 

, and significant amounts of vitamin Vitamin

Vitamins are nutrient [i]s required for essential metabolic reactions in the body . ... 

s A Retinol

Retinol, the dietary form of vitamin [i] A, is a yellow fat-soluble, antioxidant [i] vitamin impor ... 

, B and C Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a water [i]-soluble [i] nutrient [i] and vitamin [i] essential ... 

. The taste of the fruit is very sweet, with some cultivars having a slight acidic tang. The texture of the flesh varies markedly between different cultivars; some have quite a soft and pulpy texture similar to an over-ripe plum Plum

"Plum" is also a nickname for British humorist P.G. Wodehouse [i].
... 

, while others have a firmer flesh much like that of a cantaloupe Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe refers to two different varieties of muskmelon, Cucumis melo. Both belong to the family Cucurbitaceae [i] ... 

 or avocado Avocado

Avocado is a tree [i] and the fruit [i] of that tree, classified in the flowering plant [i] family Lauraceae [i] ... 

, and in some cultivars the flesh can contain fibrous material. Mangoes are very juicy; the sweet taste and high water content make them refreshing to eat, though somewhat messy.

The mango is in the same family as poison ivy and contains urushiol Urushiol

Urushiol is an oil found in plants [i] of the Family [i] Anacardiaceae [i], especially ... 

, though much less than poison ivy. Some people get dermatitis from touching mango peel or sap. Persons showing an allergic reaction after handling a mango can usually enjoy the fruit if someone else first removes the skin. The leaves are toxic to cattle Cattle

Cattle are domesticated [i] ungulate [i]s, a member of the subfamily [i] Bovinae [i] of t ... 

.

It is reputed that mangos soothe the intestines, which makes them easy to digest. In India and Pakistan Pakistan

[i] located in [[South Asia]... 

, where mangoes are the national fruit in both countries, they are thought to help stop bleeding, to strengthen the heart, and to benefit the brain.

The mango is also a common motif in Indian textile Textile

A textile is a flexible material comprised of a network of natural or artificial fibre [i]s often referr ... 

s, known as the paisley Paisley

The Royal Burgh [i] of Paisley is a large town [i] and former burgh [i] in the western central lowlands [i] ... 

 design.

Production and consumption


Top 12 Mango Producers - 2005
India India

India , officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia [i]. ... 

 
1,600,000
China China

China is a cultural region [i] and ancient civilization [i] in East Asia [i]. ... 

 
433,600
Thailand Thailand

The Kingdom of Thailand is a country in Southeast Asia [i], bordering Laos [i] and Cambodia [i] to the e ... 

 
285,000
Indonesia Indonesia

Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a nation of islands [i] consist ... 

 
273,440
Mexico Mexico

The United Mexican States, generally known as Mexico is a country [i] located in North America [i] ... 

 
173,837
Philippines Philippines

The Philippines , officially the Republic of the Philippines , is an island nation [i] located in ... 

 
160,000
Pakistan Pakistan

[i] located in [[South Asia]... 

 
151,500
Nigeria Nigeria

Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country [i] in West Africa [i] and the m ... 

 
125,000
Guinea Guinea


Guinea, officially the Republic of Guinea , is a nation in West Africa [i], formerly known as French Guinea [i]... 

 
82,000
Brazil Brazil

Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest and most populous country [i] ... 

 
68,000
Vietnam Vietnam

Vietnam, officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, is a country in Southeast Asia [i]. ... 

 
53,000
Bangladesh Bangladesh

Bangladesh, officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh, is a country in South Asia [i]. ... 

 
51,000
World Total 3,870,200
Source:
UN Food & Agriculture Organisation Food and Agriculture Organization

The Food and Agriculture Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations [i] that works to r... 

 


As of 2005 India was the largest producer, with an area of 16,000 kmē with an annual production of 10.8 million tonnes, which accounted for 57.18% of the total world production. The state of Maharashtra Maharashtra

Maharashtra is India [i]'s third largest state [i] in terms of area [i]... 

 in western India has the most conducive climate conditions to produce the most renowned variety of this fruit, the Hapoos mango. The earlier Portuguese explorers took to calling it Aphoos and later, Alphonso. Farmers in the entire coastal Konkan belt cultivate the Hapoos mango, which fetches them substantial profits. The Ratnagiri and Devgad Hapoos from Maharashtra jointly take place of pride as the finest amongst all types of mangoes produced. Otherwise, the state of Uttar Pradesh Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh , also popularly known by its abbreviation U.P., means the 'northern province'.... 

 dominates the mango production in the North, and it is considered the most important fruit in central and eastern part of the state, from Lucknow Lucknow

Lucknow is the capital city of the state of Uttar Pradesh [i], India [i]. ... 

 to Varanasi Varanasi

Vara?asi , also known as Benares, Banaras, or Benaras, or Kashi or Kasi, is a famous... 

, which also produce some fine varieties. In southern India, Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh : , is a state [i] in South India [i]. ... 

 and Karnataka Karnataka

Karnataka is one of the four southern [i] state [i]s of India [i] ... 

 states are major producers of mangoes and specialize in making a variety of mango pickles. These pickles are very spicy. It is almost an essential food in Andhra families, where mango pickle production is a household activity in summer.

Generally, once ripe, mangoes 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 Ethylene

Ethylene is the simplest alkene [i] hydrocarbon [i], consisting of four hydrogen [i] atom [i]s and two... 

 producers and ripen in transit, they do not have the same juiciness or flavour as the fresh fruit. A ripe mango will have an orange-yellow or reddish skin. To allow a mango to continue to ripen after purchase, it should be stored in a cool, dark place, but not in a refrigerator as this will slow the ripening process.




Ripe mangoes are extremely popular throughout Latin America. In Mexico Mexico

The United Mexican States, generally known as Mexico is a country [i] located in North America [i] ... 

, sliced mango is eaten with chili powder and/or salt. Street vendors sometimes sell whole mangoes on a stick, dipped in the chili-salt mixture. In Indonesia Indonesia

Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a nation of islands [i] consist ... 

, green mango is sold by street vendors with sugar and salt and/or chili. Green mango may be used in the sour salad called rujak in Indonesia, and rojak Rojak

[i] and [[Indonesia]... 

in Malaysia Malaysia

Malaysia is a federation [i] of 13 states [i] in Southeast Asia [i], formed in 1963.
... 

 and Singapore Singapore

Singapore, formally the Republic of Singapore , is an island [i] city-state [i] and ... 

. In Guatemala Guatemala

Guatemala, officially the Republic of Guatemala , is a country in Central America [i], in the sout ... 

, Ecuador Ecuador

Ecuador, officially the Republic of Ecuador is a country in northwestern South America [i], bound ... 

, Nicaragua Nicaragua

Nicaragua is a republic in Central America [i]. ... 

 and Honduras Honduras

Honduras, officially the Republic of Honduras, is a country in Central America [i], bordered to th ... 

, small, green mangoes are popular; they have a sharp, brisk flavour like a Granny Smith Granny Smith

Granny Smith is an apple [i] cultivar [i] originating in Australia [i] from 1868 [i] from a chance seedl... 

 apple Apple

The apple is a tree [i] and its pomaceous [i] fruit [i], of the species Malus domestica in the ... 

. Vendors sell slices of peeled green mango on the streets of these countries, often served with salt. In Hawai'i Hawaii

Hawaii became the 50th state [i] of the United States [i] on August 21 [i], 1959 [i]. ... 

 it is common to pickle green mango slices.

Mangoes are widely used in chutney, which in the West is often very sweet, but in the Indian subcontinent Indian subcontinent

The Indian subcontinent is a peninsula landmass [i] of the Asia [i]n continent [i] occupying the Indian Plate [i] ... 

 is usually sharpened with hot chili Chili pepper

The chili pepper, chile pepper, or chilli pepper, or simply chilli, 'chili or ... 

s or limes. In India, ripe mango is often cut into thin layers, desiccated , folded, and then cut and sold as bars that are very tasty and chewy. These bars, known as amavat in Hindi, are similar to dried guava Guava

Guava is a genus of about 100 species of tropical [i] shrub [i]s and small tree [i]s in the myrtle famil ... 

 fruit bars available in Colombia. Many people like to eat unripe mangoes with salt , and in regions where food is hotter, with salt and chili.

In the Philippines Philippines

The Philippines , officially the Republic of the Philippines , is an island nation [i] located in ... 

, unripe mango is eaten with bagoong, fermented minute shrimp paste which comes in sweet, salty and spicy flavours. Dried strips of sweet, ripe mangoes have also gained popularity both inside and outside the country, with those produced in Cebu Cebu

Cebu is one of the provinces of the Philippines [i]. ... 

 making it to export markets around the world.

Mango is also used to make juices, both in ripe and unripe form. Pieces of fruit can be mashed and used in ice cream Ice cream

Ice cream is a frozen dessert [i] made from dairy product [i]s such as cream [i] , combined with... 

; they can be substituted for peaches in a peach Peach

The Peach is a tree [i] native to China [i] that bears a juicy fruit of the same name.
... 

  pie; or put in a blender with milk, a little sugar, and crushed ice for a refreshing beverage. A more traditional Indian drink is mango lassi Lassi

Lassi is a traditional South Asian [i] beverage [i], originally from Punjab [i], India/Pak... 

, which is similar, but uses a mixture of yoghurt and milk as the base, and is sometimes flavoured with salt or cardamom Cardamom

The name cardamom is used for species within three genera of the ginger [i] family Zingiberaceae [i], n... 

. In Thailand Thailand

The Kingdom of Thailand is a country in Southeast Asia [i], bordering Laos [i] and Cambodia [i] to the e ... 

 and other South East Asian countries, sweet glutinous rice is flavoured with coconut then served with sliced mango on top as a dessert.

Dried unripe mango used as a spice in India is known as amchur . Am is a Hindi Hindi

Hindi , an Indo-European language [i] spoken mainly in northern [i] ... 

 word for Mango and amchoor is nothing but powder or extract of Mango.

Note: The Sweet Bell Pepper was once known as mango in parts of the midwestern United States United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

 . With the advent of fresh fruit importers exposing individuals to the tropical fruit, the colloquial use of this alternative name for the Sweet Bell Pepper has become archaic, although occasionally midwestern menus will still offer stuffed mangoes as an entree.

Cultivars Cultivar

A cultivar is a cultivated plant [i] that has received a name under the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants [i] ... 

Many hundred named mango cultivar Cultivar

A cultivar is a cultivated plant [i] that has received a name under the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants [i] ... 

s exist. In mango orchard Orchard

An orchard is an intentional planting of tree [i]s or shrub [i]s maintained for food [i] production [i] ... 

s, several cultivars are often intermixed to improve cross-pollination. In Maharashtra, the most common cultivar is 'Alphonso' . 'Alphonso' is known as the King of Mangoes due to the popular opinion among many in India that it is the best cultivar available. The best 'Alphonso' mangos are reputed to come from the town of Ratnagiri and Devgad in Maharashtra Maharashtra

Maharashtra is India [i]'s third largest state [i] in terms of area [i]... 

. In Uttar Pradesh, 'Dasheri' from Lucknow is famous for its aroma, and is so tasty that even the skin can be eaten. 'Langada' from Varanasi in eastern UP is another variety which is extremely sought after for its fine flavour and aroma. 'Banganapalli' of Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh : , is a state [i] in South India [i]. ... 

 is one of the most sought after cultivar. Maldah is one of the most sought after cultivar in Bihar. Notably, cultivars which excel in one climate fail to achieve their potential in other climates. Thus the cultivar 'Julie', a Jamaican favourite, and 'Alphonso' have never found great success in South Florida, Israel or Australia.

Currently, the world market is dominated by the cultivar 'Tommy Atkins'- a seedling of 'Haden' which first fruited in 1940 in Southern Florida, USA. Despite being initially rejected commercially by Florida researchers, 'Tommy Atkins' quickly became an export favourite worldwide. For example, 80% of mangos in UK United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country and sovereign state [i] tha ... 

 supermarket Supermarket

A supermarket is a departmentalized self-service store [i] offering a wide variety of food [i] and house ... 

s are 'Tommy Atkins Tommy Atkins

Tommy Atkins is a term for a common soldier in the British Army [i] that is particularly associated with... 

'. The success of 'Tommy Atkins' comes despite its fiberous flesh and fair taste. Despite this, growers world-wide have embraced the cultivar for its exceptional production and disease resistant, the shelf-life Shelf life

Shelf life is that length of time that food [i], drink, medicine [i] and other perishable [i] ... 

 of its fruit, their transportability as well as their size and beautiful colour. 'Tommy Atkins' is predominant in the USA as well, although other cultivars, such 'Kent', 'Keitt', the Haitian grown 'Madame Francis' and the Mexican grown 'Champagne' are widely available.

In urban areas of southern Florida, small gardens, or lack thereof, have fueled the desire for dwarf Mango trees. The Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is a superb, 33 ha botanic garden, with extensive collections of rare ... 

 has led the charge for the "condo mango" by identifying cultivars which can be productive while maintained at a height below 2-2.5 m .

A list of additional leading cultivars can be found at the cultivar list link in the external links below.

External links

  • "Mango" article in Alan Davidson's Oxford Companion to Food
  • for the mango splitter
  • about the mango splitter