Mango is a refreshing, juicy and vibrant tropical fruit. Its rich texture, luxurious aroma, delicious sweetness attract gourmets from all over the world. Mango can be eaten raw, added to various dishes, and juiced. But first of all, the mango needs to be peeled. And this is another task.
How to choose a mango
The homeland of mango is South Asia, it was from there that the amazing fruit spread throughout the countries of tropical and subtropical regions to become one of the most widely cultivated fruit crops in the world. Mango fruits can be of various shapes, sizes and colors - round, oval, kidney-shaped, with yellow, green, red or purple peels of varying thickness. Ripe fruits give off a characteristic sweet-resinous smell, they give in to pressure slightly, but not too soft. If you buy an unripe mango, it's okay, just leave the fruit in a dark paper bag at room temperature and in a couple of days it will be ready. Ripe mango can be stored in the refrigerator for 5-7 days, but it is better to let the fruit lie in a warm place before eating.
How to peel and slice a mango
Mango is a stone fruit and a stone in it is not only large and flat, but also tightly seated in the fibrous pulp. It is not easy to extract it. Most often, in order to cut the mango into pieces, the fruit is placed on a board, with its narrow part towards itself, and the “cheeks” to the right and left of the intended bone are cut off with a sharp knife. Take the cut piece with the flesh side up and cut it into squares in a crisscross pattern without cutting the rind. Turn inside out and cut the pieces into a bowl. Repeat the procedure with another piece. At the middle section, first cut off the rind and then cut off pieces until one bone remains. All these manipulations are simple, but for the first time it is better to watch the videos, which can be found in abundance on the network, in order to understand exactly the correct procedure.
If you need to cut the mango into slices, first cut the peel with a vegetable cutter, then take the fruit in your hand and cut the flesh obliquely to the bone with a sharp knife, then remove the slice and start the next one. Note that mango is a juicy fruit and can slip in your hands.
In countries where mango grows, it is also eaten like this - a very ripe fruit is rolled many times on a hard surface to turn its pulp into porridge, the peel is cut and the contents are sucked out.
How are mangoes eaten
Mango, like any fruit, can be eaten raw, but many dishes and drinks are also prepared from these fruits. Thin-skinned mangoes tend to have less fibrous flesh and therefore are better suited for making juices, smoothies, cocktails, jelly purees, ice cream, and cream. Fruits with thicker skin tend to harbor denser, fibrous flesh. Ideal for curries, salads, sauces and chutneys, they are cut into strips and grilled or dehydrated to dry.
They also find use for unripe mangoes. It can also be put in chutneys, and can also be salted or pickled.
Why are the fruits of the mango tree useful?
Mango is a low-calorie fruit rich in fiber, vitamins A, C, E and B6, iron, zinc, as well as phenolic and carotenoid compounds. Vitamin A and beta-carotene help to improve vision, vitamin B6 helps control the level of homocysteine, an amino acid whose high content in the blood can cause heart attack or stroke. Research has shown that the phytochemicals in mango have a positive effect on the gut microflora and may even reduce inflammation in ulcerative colitis. Soluble fiber helps with digestion.
