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Tag: mangoes

  • Mangoes: Shout out to all the Mango Maniacs

    Mangoes: Shout out to all the Mango Maniacs

    Summer is at full stretch and the scorching heat and frequent power cuts don’t make it easy to fancy this season. There are still stuffs that we do root for throughout the year. Yes! I’m talking about long vacations, hometown visits or vacationing in the hill stations! But for all the “Foodaholics”, out there awaits the king of all fruits. Yes! MANGOES!! Though age is no category for a mango maniac, still I believe that kids are best examples of the same as to them apart from joining exciting summer camps or watching TV for endless hours, mangoes do hold a special place. Have to admit watching kids eat mangoes with pulp all over hands is an off-putting yet adorable sight. They are ones who won’t count calories but would feast upon them and contest with their siblings of who had the most like a true Mango maniac! As a kid when we used to head for our hometown, the sight of mango laden trees and lots of them used to get us frantic! Even in the cities at that time the quality of mangoes available in the market used to be fine and more feasible for the “Feast contests”.             Nowadays, we find it difficult to make a difference between which one is naturally and which are artificially ripened mangoes as both of them look almost alike. Well, to be honest artificially ripened looks more alluring. There are many features that set them apart like artificially ripened ones will have distinct patches of green color and their taste gives slight burning sensation in the mouth.  It is said that to get the taste of natural mango one should wait for the season to set in like after April. Now to list up all the mouth watering delicacies made from mangoes, though note that this wouldn’t include any sophisticated recipes but more like a list of the best homemade “Beat the heat” and other refreshments  from mango. Just to be sure Do Google the recipes for them!

    1. AAM PANNA!

    Refreshing drink made from raw mangoes, Aam panna is made by taking the pulp out of boiled raw mangoes and then mixing the pulp with water adding sugar or jaggery. Of course not forget, Ice! Having a chilled glass of Aam panna after an exhausting day in office or playing all day in the scorching heat surely refreshes the senses. Aam_Panna

    1. AAMRAS!

    Aamras is nothing but mango puree flavored with cardamom and saffron. This refreshment goes well with Puris, Paranthas or can relished solo. Sweetened naturally doesn’t have added sugars and one can enjoy this with limited calorie intake. aamras

    1. MANGO SMOOTHIE!

    Delicious summer drink prepared by blending mango pulp with almost equal amount of water and lime juice (as per preference). Sugar or sugarcane juice can be added to sweeten it more.Smoothie should be served chilled. Mango-Smoothies

    1. KHATTI MEETHI CHUTNEY!

    As it is not so much popular than the above refreshments, so I don’t know what its market name is. Regardless in our household it has been given that name.So, it’s basically prepared by frying raw mango pieces with mustard and cumin seeds. The fried mango pieces are the poured into hot sugar or jaggery syrup and cooked for few minutes.This mouth watering chutney tastes tangy-sweet and goes well with the meals or can be enjoyed as it is. Khatti meethi chutney

    1. MANGO MOUSSE!

    One of the favorite deserts ever! Mango mousse is a light and creamy sweet dish prepared by both using egg or egg less. Prepared by blending the mango pulp with honey and cream and refrigerated for 30 minutes or so. This can be served with your favorite toppings like blueberry, tooti fruity e.t.c.  In the egg version while blending, egg whites pre- cooked in caramel is added. Mango mousse

    1. MANGO UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE!

    Fan of baking? If not too, this flavorsome cake is worth every bite.  Prepared like any other cake with a twisted layer of mangoes at the bottom. Top the cake with whipped cream and there you have a perfect piece of delight. Mango upside down cake   Okay, so the point made Mangoes are “Kings of Fruit”. Apart of being awesomely delicious let’s see if they carry more value.

     SKIN

    Having acne problems? Boil a raw mango, take the juice and apply as an acne remover. Mangoes are believe it or not great cleansers and exfoliate your skin too. Add wheat flour to mango pulp and apply this mixture to clean pores in the skin from deep within. For exfoliation purpose blend peeled mango with milk and crushed cashews or oat. People with sensitive skin can use mango-milk pack for refreshing their skin without worrying about reactions. Mangoes are also known to remove blemishes and enhance the skin color because of the presence of vitamin A, C and Beta carotene.

    Mango health benefits

    HEALTH

    4000 Years and older this fruit contains abundant levels of anti-oxidants  which is said to beneficial for preventing diseases like cancer, leukemia e.t.c.  It helps improving the eyesight due to presence of vitamin A. Additionally, the presence of fiber and Vitamin C helps in bringing down cholesterol and it increases metabolism.Mangoes are said to be rich in folic acid which helps in improving fertility.    So, a Mango maniac yet? There is around a month more for the mango season to get over, make sure you grab a bite of delectable must haves from safe to say now an “All rounder” fruit!

  • The King of Fruits

    The King of Fruits

    Mango is a fruit which belongs to the plant family Anacardiaceae. They are tropical fruiting trees which are mostly cultivated for edible fruits. The mangoes originated in South and Southeast Asia and were later adopted by the neighboring regions. With time it became one of the most cultivated fruits in the tropical regions.Major contributions to the production of mangoes are given by regions like Sumatra, Borneo and counties like Burma and India. Other than being the king of fruits, mango is the national fruit of Indian and the Philippines and the national tree of Bangladesh. Mangoes come in different varieties depends upon the method in which it is cultivated plus the weather conditions. In some cultures the fruit and leaves of this plant is used as decorations for wedding and other public and religious ceremonies.

    green-mangoes

    Cultivation of mangoes have been taking place in Southeast Asia for thousands of years but the knowledge regarding its cultivation reached East Asia by the 5th century only. In East Africa mangoes were introduced after the 10th century. Mangoes later travelled to regions like West Indies Brazil and Mexico where appropriate climate contributed to its growth. Cultivation of mangoes can only be possible in a frost free tropical climate. Today almost half of the production in the world market is done by India with china being the second largest producer. Other regions such as Australia, Pakistan, north and Central America also account for the production of this fruit. Such as the Canary Islands in Spain is also a notable producer of this fruit. Though India is the largest producer, study sates that it accounts for only 1 percent in the international trade market for mangoes as it most of its produce is consumed domestically.

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    Over the years so many different ways have been introduced for consumption of mangoes in the form of chutneys, pickles and milkshakes. In many households, mango pulp is used to make jellies and a special jam called mangada. The pulp is also is cooked with red gram and served with rice. In Andhra Pradesh mangoes are used to prepare dal while in Gujarati cuisines, mangoes are used to make chunda which is a grated mango dish. In many countries mangoes are used to prepare smoothies and ice creams where the mango nectar is used as a major flavouring and colouring agent. In Central America people consume green mangoes with salt, lime and black pepper along with a hot sauce. Traditionally roasted pumpkin seed along with chilli or soya sauce is eaten together with green mangoes. In Southeast Asia slices of mangoes are put over ice creams. It is also served as a desert with a special kind of rice cooked with coconut. Green mangoes are used as salads and served with fish sauce, rice vinegar and dried shrimp.

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    Mangoes are considered to be very beneficial for health as they are full of anti-oxidants which help in fighting different types of cancer such as breast, prostate and colon cancer. These anti oxidants also help in preventing leukemia and help in cell rejuvenation and repair. Acne is reduces as it helps in detoxifying the skin from inside. Mangoes are huge storehouses of vitamin A and C. vitamin A as we all know helps protect the eyesight and is responsible for endowing a glowing skin and maintaining a great complexion while vitamin C is responsible for boosting immunity.  The acidic content of vitamin C is further accompanied with acids like malic and tartaric acid which helps in maintaining the alkaline balance of the body. The thread like texture of the fruit is because of its high fibre content. Fibre further helps in lowering cholesterol levels in the body thereby playing a huge role in preventing diabetes. The skin of this fruit is a popular de-tanner and is extensively used as a part of many beauty regimes, including reduction of dark spots, acne, cleansing, exfoliation etc. The best part is, being a natural product it is safe to use across all skin types and is foolproof solution for fair smooth skin. Mangoes are also beneficial for the hair being an oasis of vitamins and minerals that nourish and encourage hair growth. As a part of many home remedies, mangoes are used as conditioners, for treating dandruff and reducing hair loss and graying of hair.

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    To avail all these benefits, it is important that we, as consumers, select and store the fruit judiciously. Ofcource, the rules for selection remain the same; clean no marks on the external body and so on. But more importantly, mangoes with good aroma should be selected. Unripe mangoes are green in colour while ripe mangoes may have different colour like yellow, orange or red but one thing should be noted that the colour must not be seen as a basis for deciding the maturity of the fruit because there are some varieties of mangoes which retain their green colour even when they ripe. Once the mangoes are purchased care should be taken regarding the storage of this fruit which varies depending upon the variety of the mango. In order to ensure that mangoes remain fresh we can store them in the refrigerator. Freezing them may result in the blackening of their outer skin but the inside remains fresh. In case they are green in colour then they should be stored in a brown paper bag away from sunlight for a few days till they ripen.