National Mango day is celebrated on 22nd July

Are you the one who relishes mangoes more than any other fruit? Do you await summers for the juicy varieties of Mangoes? Do you know that your favorite fruit has a national day dedicated to it? Well, let me share that 22nd July is celebrated as the National Mango Day. And now that you know it, you have all the more reason to eat mangoes. This post has been written by my Dad and I, as both of us are very fond of mangoes. Enjoy the juicy read!

As soon as the summer season arrives, the mango lovers can’t contain their excitement. They know that their favorite fruit is back. After the wait of a whole season, they can’t help eyeing these yellow treats in the market. If you are a true mango lover, you would know what it is like to get the sight of the first harvest of the season. The child-like joy is for real. Even though it is priced on the heavier side in the beginning, the mango enthusiasts are the first ones to bag it. The true fans of the fruit appreciate it not only for is luscious and sweet taste but also for its health benefits. Let us find some more reasons to cherish this delightful fruit.

I may be biased but I have not really met anyone who hates mangoes. It often shines on popularity charts. And if you ask around, everyone has sweet stories wrapped around nostalgia. My favorite one is from the summer vacations at my grandparents place where 5 kgs of mangoes would be put in a bucket everyday and I along with my bunch of cousins would sit around to eat as many as possible. And we would fight over the size, taste, variety, and use them as excuses to eat more. It is hard to find that bonhomie that existed then. Another memorable anecdote with respect to mangoes happens to be my first encounter with ‘Mango and sticky rice and coconut milk.’ This heavenly combination is my favorite till date.

Raw Mangoes are also very beneficial

Most people start consuming raw mangoes even before they ripen. Consumption of raw mangoes is very beneficial in summer. Those who know the benefits of eating raw mangoes include it in their diet without any hesitation. Its use keeps the body cool, which helps to prevent heat stroke and reduce the effects of excessive heat during the summer season. The high water content in them helps in maintaining hydration and keeping the body cool. Consuming raw mangoes helps maintain the body’s electrolyte balance. Aam panna, made from raw mangoes is a very popular drink in India.

History of Mango

Mangoes have a long and rich history in India. It is believed that mangoes were first cultivated in India more than 5,000 years ago in the Indo-Burma region which stretches from eastern India and southern China to Southeast Asia. Around 300 AD, mango seeds traveled from Asia to the Middle East, East Africa, and South America. Mango cultivation spread westward with the spice trade. Valmiki’s Ramayana, written around 500 BC, has many references to mango orchards. Sanskrit poet Kalidasa praised mango a lot by writing about the “First mango twig, so pink, so green; First living breath of spring,” in his magnum opus Shakuntala.

The first name given to the mango was ‘Amra-phal’. It has also been referred to as ‘Rasala‘ and ‘Sahakara‘ in early Vedic literature, which is also mentioned in Brihadaranyaka Upanishad and Puranas. The ancient Indian scriptures mention the mango fruit as a symbol of love, fertility, and prosperity. The scientific name of mango is Mangifera indica. The species of mangoes is called Mangifera.

The Famous Five

Different regions have given birth to different varieties of mangoes. While each one has its own uniqueness, some are more special than others due to their sweet aroma and taste. Langda Aam of India is said to be the sweetest mango in the world, Kesar mango is also called the ‘queen of mangoes’ (probably the sweetest mango in the family) , while Alphonso mango is considered to be of the best variety around the world.

Mango was adopted as the national fruit of India in the year 1950. Coincidentally, it is the national fruit of Pakistan and the Philippines as well. Surprising, 1500 varieties are grown in India itself. Different species of mangoes are found in different states from Kashmir to Kanyakumari according to the climate conditions.

India is the largest mango-producing country in the world. Farmers cultivate many varieties of mangoes. About 180 lakh tones of mangoes are produced here. Out of this, thousands of tons of mangoes are exported abroad. Not only this, it contributes about 57.18% of the total mango production around the world. Sunlight and sufficient rainfall together create a better climate for mangoes. For now, let us find out about the five mangoes which are famous in the country and the world.

1. Himsagar is a famous mango of Bengal which is grown in Malda.
2. Amrapali is a hybrid variety that has been prepared by the Agricultural Research Institute of Pusa.
3. Marathwada Kesar mango is produced in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra as well as in Gujarat.
4. Banganapalle mango of Andhra Pradesh is a very special gift for the world. It is exported to many countries from Andhra Pradesh. This mango has got a GI tag.
5. Hapus i.e. Alphonso mango wins over everyone with sweetness and taste. It is considered one of the best varieties. One of its specialties is that after ripening, this mango can be kept for 15 days whereas other mangoes do not have this quality. Also, Alphonso is costlier compared to other mangoes grown in other regions.

Why Mango deserves an important place in our diet?

Mango is called the king of fruits because it is very beneficial for health along with taste. Each mango has its own distinct characteristics, which include differences in taste, aroma, color, and size. Mango has medicinal uses too. The ripe fruit has obesogenic, diuretic, and laxative properties. It helps in improving the digestive capacity. According to the National Mango Board, this nutrient-dense super fruit contains more than 20 vitamins and nutrients. Mangos provide 100% of your daily vitamin C, 35% of your daily vitamin A, and 12% of your daily fiber in every 1 cup serving, they are naturally free of cholesterol, sodium, and fat.

The research suggests that mangoes can help control weight, fight cancer, and improve digestion. Mangoes have high sugar content compared with other fruits, so the consumption must be kept in check. Green mangoes have more vitamin C than ripe mangoes however as mangoes ripen, they contain more vitamin A.

In Indian cooking, mangoes appear in a range of various types of pickles, jams, and chutneys. Apart from this, mango shake, mango rasam, mango papad, aamrakhand, mango kulfi, mango barfi, murabba, chakki, amchur, aamvat, candy, and mango vegetable can also be made. Mango keeps the skin healthy and strengthens the immune system.

No Database for its rich heritage

Despite such a large biodiversity of mangoes, there is no repository in the country that can account for this rich heritage. Scientists at the Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur, have now developed a new database which can be especially helpful for mango breeders. The database lists 40 varieties of mangoes based on their characteristics. “This is a complete database as far as South Indian mango varieties are concerned. And more varieties can be added to this database when it comes to mango varieties from other parts of the country,” says researcher Deep Mathew.

At present, no available database has detailed information about mango germplasm as per the standards of the International Board of Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR). Only Alphonso has been mentioned in the general horticultural database of the Food and Agriculture Organization. If a complete database related to mango varieties is prepared, then this information can be very important for plant breeders and farmers.

Interesting Facts about Mangoes

• Malihabad’s Dussehri mango of Uttar Pradesh is also very popular in the world. Dussehri Banging of Lucknow is also special. It is named Dussehri Banging because it is prepared by keeping it in stale paper. The state’s ‘Ambika‘, ‘Arunika‘, and Pusa Shrestha varieties are also attracting the attention of mango lovers.
• Kaleemullah Khan, a resident of Malihabad, Lucknow, is called the “Mango man of India“. He has grown 300 varieties of mangoes by grafting them on a single tree. For which he has also received the ‘Padma Shri’ award in 2008.
• The city of Murshidabad in West Bengal is known as “Mango City”
• Srinivaspur in Kolar, Karnataka is known as the Mango city of India as more than 63 varieties of mango are found here.
• Known for extensive agricultural activities, Krishnagiri is famous for its mangoes, thus earning it the nickname of ‘Mango Capital of India’.
• If you send mangoes to someone, they are a symbol of love and friendship in India.
• Kesar mango of Gujarat is very famous for making amras.
• Totapuri mango is mainly cultivated in Karnataka.
• The ‘Langda‘ mango in Bihar is also known as ‘Malda Aam’.
• Mangoes are related to cashews and pistachios.
• Mango trees can bear fruit even after 300 years.
• Mango leaves are toxic for cattle feed. Burning their leaves, wood, or debris is also toxic.
• Given the popularity of mangoes around the world, National Mango Day is celebrated every year on 22 July.

Last but not least, mangoes are the best part of our summer memories. They are worth the wait, always. Many people do not like to eat in a very polite and decent manner, they love to suck it. Eating it in a messy way is also one of the many pleasures associated with Mangoes. Apart from being the king of fruits, Mangoes are the king of summers too.