Mango the Unknown King and
the Ancient King of Love

By Uncle Paul

The journey I wish to take you on today is to an ancient land where elephants, monkeys, and tigers roam — a land of temples, jungles, deserts, beautiful mountains, and banyan tree groves. Here we meet a king known to many yet unknown to more. He is a King of Love, temptation, mystery and the King of Fruit, the mango.

Mangos originated in India more than 5,000 years ago. The mango is, according to an ancient Eastern proverb, one of the three things in life so important that it should only be shared with the ones you love. (The others are a bed and a prayer mat.) Many people believe a mango can grant wishes. A grove of mangos was given to Buddha for meditation. The poet Kalidasa sang its praises. Alexander the Great savored its taste, as did the Chinese pilgrim Hieun Tsang. Akbar planted 100,000 mango trees in Darbhanga. Some scientists think that apple trees were not native to the region where Eve tempted Adam. Most likely, she tempted him with a mango. Therefore the mango must be the most tempting fruit in the world.

More mangos are consumed worldwide than any other fruit, yet in America 45% of the population has never tasted a mango.

The mango sugars out at over 15%; a peach will usually sugar out at 10% to 12%. The mango is so juicy that I consider it to be also the king of the dribble-down-your-chin fruits. A mango reminds me of a peach with a hint of vanilla flavor. Mangos can be substituted in any recipe that calls for peaches, papayas, pineapple, melons, or nectarines.

In Mexico, sliced mango is eaten with chili powder and/or salt. In Guatemala, Ecuador, and Honduras small, green mangoes are popular. They have a sharp, brisk flavor like a Granny Smith apple. Vendors sell slices of peeled green mango on the streets of these countries, often with salt. In Hawaii it is common to pickle green mango slices.

The mango is a comfort food. Mangos can make you feel better! Beyond being delicious and rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, mangos contain an enzyme with stomach-soothing properties similar to papain found in papayas. These comforting enzymes act as a digestive aid and can be held partially responsible for that feeling of contentment we experience during and after our daily mango ritual. Yes, it is quite natural to crave those mangos

Dietary fiber has a protective effect against degenerative diseases, especially with regards to the heart; it may help prevent certain types of cancer, as well as lowering blood cholesterol levels. An average sized mango can contain up to 40% of the daily fiber requirement. For those of you who are physically active mangos are also a great way to replenish lost potassium.

Mangos are also a good source of betacarotene, rich in vitamins A, B, and C, high in fiber, low in calories (about 80) and have more carotenoids than most other fruits. Mangos can help to ward off colds.

A mango can be a great way to get a child interested in eating fruit. Slice the mango so that the knife just passes over the flat surface of the stone. Turn the mango over and repeat the process, cutting across the other flat surface. With each big slice that has been removed, cut hatch marks through the flesh just down to the skin making it look like you are playing tic tac toe only with one extra line. Then, while holding the piece flesh side up, press the thumb on the skin side underneath as if turning the piece inside out. I call this popping a mango. You can serve it this way on a saucer. This way of preparing a mango will fascinate your child, intrigue your dinner guest, surprise your husband or wife, girlfriend or boyfriend, and beautify any meal or occasion.

So if you have never experienced the wonder of the mango you are missing out on one of the true incredible tropical taste adventures of life. The mango is scrumptious, juicy, beautiful, tropical, mysterious, aromatic, romantic, comfort food, delightful to the eye, fun and super nutritious.

So next time you feel the need for the perfect sports drink remember you can never improve on mother nature’s incredible and delicious treat of the Young Tender Coconut, the hero of World War II, and the Super Hero of Today.

Uncle Paul, along with his wife Calla, owns Uncle Paul’s European Style Open Air Produce Market, 2310 SE Hawthorne, 503-484-8612 or visit www.unclepaulsproduce.com.