Mangoes
Estimated Inventory, 8 ct : 49.51
This item was last sold on : 01/20/25
Description/Taste
Mangoes range greatly in size, measuring anywhere from 5 to 30 centimeters in length, and weighing from 4 ounces up to 5 pounds. They have leathery, smooth skin, and they can vary in shape from long and slender, to kidney-shaped, or even somewhat round. Their skin is multi-colored with different blends of red, yellow and green, depending on the variety. The succulent, vibrant yellow to orange flesh is aromatic and juicy, with a texture similar to a peach. The flavor is complex and sweet, with notes of peach, coconut, and vanilla or caramel, and is sometimes balanced with a slight tartness. The skin of Mangoes is inedible, and actually contains a sap that can be irritating to some people.
Seasons/Availability
Mangoes are available year-round.
Current Facts
Mangoes are botanically classified as Mangifera Indica, which translates as “an Indian plant bearing Mangoes,” and they are known by many nicknames across the globe, such as King of Fruit, Apple of the Tropics, and even Fruit of the Gods. There are two races or strains of Mangoes, one from India and the other from the Philippines and Southeast Asia. They are a member of the cashew family alongside poison sumac and poison ivy, and contain the same itchy chemical, urushiol, in their skin. However, it’s less concentrated, and people will have different levels of reaction, or no reaction at all to contact. Mangoes are further categorized as a drupe, also known as a stone fruit. There are hundreds of varieties of Mangoes around the world, with about 1,000 in India alone, though only a few are marketed in the United States.
Nutritional Value
Mangoes are a good source of fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and potassium. They also contain natural enzymes that assist in breaking down proteins.
Applications
Mangoes can be used in both raw and cooked applications. Just like an avocado, a ripe Mango will give slightly to pressure. Note that the skin doesn't always indicate ripeness due to the variations in color among varieties. Mangoes are a popular ingredient for fresh salsas and chutneys, and are widely used in desserts and baked goods. Use Mangoes to flavor ice cream and gelato, blend or juice for smoothies and other drinks, or slice and dry for a naturally sweet snack. Mangoes contain natural enzymes that help break down proteins, and hence are commonly used in marinades to tenderize meats, like pork. In India, Mango is pureed and mixed with milk or cream and used as a dipping sauce for a type of baked pastry similar to a donut hole. In Thailand, it is used for Mango sticky rice, a traditional dessert made with rice, fresh Mango and coconut milk. The sweet-tart flavor of Mangoes compliments rich, creamy cheeses, and also balances the heat of smoky dishes, pairing well with jalapeno or chile. Mangoes can also be paired with other tropical fruits, apples, berries, citrus, melon and coconut, as well as flavors like vanilla, cinnamon, and caramel. Mangoes that are still firm will continue to ripen if stored at room temperature. Once fully ripe, they can be stored in the refrigerator for about 5 days.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Mangoes are prominent in both folklore and theology, and have been an integral part of India's culture for at least 4,000 years as a symbol of love, pleasure and prosperity. In Hinduism, the god of love, Kama, decorates his bow and arrow with five flowers, the most potent arrow tipped with a Mango blossom. In ancient holy books from India, the Mango tree is called Kalpavriksha, which is Sanskrit for "wish-granting tree," and Buddha was said to have meditated in its shade. Even the paisley pattern, which was developed in India, is based on the shape of the Mango.
Geography/History
Mangoes are native to Southern Asia, especially Burma and eastern India, where they have been cultivated for thousands of years. The earliest mention of Mango is in the Hindu scripture dating back to 4000 BCE, though fossil evidence indicates that the Mango could be much older than that. Historians believe that Mangoes spread across the globe in the hands of traders and travelers, like Buddhist monks who exchanged the fruit as a gift, and Persian vendors who brought the fruit westward with the spice trade. The Portuguese, who landed in Calcutta in 1498, were the first to establish a Mango trade and introduce grafting on Mango trees. During the 16th and 17th centuries, sea-faring Portuguese explorers brought the Mango to Western Africa and eventually to Brazil, and from there the fruit made its way to the West Indies. It reached Mexico in the hands of Spanish explorers in the early 19th century, and finally made its way to the US in the mid 19th century, specifically Florida and California, where the fruit is still commercially cultivated. Today, Mangoes grow in tropical and subtropical climates all over the world, notably Brazil, Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Peru.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
Rosewood Social | San Juan Capistrano CA | 669-243-8403 |
Glenbrook Health Center | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
Giuseppe Restaurants & Fine Catering | San Diego CA | 619-436-7006 |
Pamplemousse Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-792-9090 |
Madison | San Diego CA | 619-822-3465 |
Alila Marea Beach Resort (Pastry) | Encinitas CA | 805-539-9719 |
Food by Chef Ty | Vista CA | 424-278-8626 |
Animae | San Diego CA | 619-925-7908 |
Jalisco Cantina | Carlsbad CA | 619-204-5945 |
Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC | San Marcos CA | 508-320-6644 |
Maderas Golf Club | Poway CA | 858-451-8100 |
Marys Gourmet Salads | La Jolla CA | 858-925-4690 |
Golden Door | San Marcos CA | 760-761-4142 |
Oscars Brewing Company | Temecula CA | 619-695-2422 |
Blue Ocean La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-999-0323 |
Palmys | San Diego CA | 858-886-7111 |
US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
Moxy San Diego Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-376-1850 |
Chef Drew Mc Partlin | San Diego CA | 619-990-9201 |
Garbatella Osteria Bar | Chula Vista CA | 619-651-1185 |
Saiko Sushi-Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-0868 |
Gelato 101 (Solana) | Solana Beach CA | 858-404-0799 |
Park Hyatt Aviara | Carlsbad CA | 760-448-1234 |
Belching Beaver Brewery Tavern and Grill | Vista CA | 760-509-4424 |
Fortunate Son | San Diego CA | 619-806-6121 |
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 619-816-8319 |
Firefly Beach | San Diego CA | 619-222-6440 |
The Market by Buon Appetito | San Diego CA | 619-237-1335 |
Portside Pier (Ketch Tasting Deck) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
Brigantine La Mesa | La Mesa CA | 619-465-1935 |
Coco Maya by Miss Bs | San Diego CA | 858-245-3780 |
Madi | San Diego CA | 320-491-1217 |
Marisi La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 951-852-6730 |
Villa Capri Poway | Poway CA | 858-391-9400 |
Miguel's Old Town | San Diego CA | 619-298-9840 |
Mothership | San Diego CA | 858-342-3609 |
Birdseye Rooftop | La Jolla CA | 619-206-7220 |
Alila Marea Beach Resort | Encinitas CA | 805-539-9719 |
Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
Bernini's Bistro | La Jolla CA | 858-454-5013 |
Rose Café | Carlsbad CA | 310-399-0711 |
Parkhouse Eatery | San Diego CA | 619 295 7275 |
Continental Catering Inc | La Mesa CA | 907-738-9264 |
Blue Whale | La Jolla CA | 808-868-8639 |
Del Mar Country Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-5995 |
Bar Same Same (Kitchen) | Carlsbad CA | 760-470-9143 |
Extraordinary Desserts | San Diego CA | 619-294-2132 |
Viejas Casino Grove Steakhouse | Alpine CA | 800-295-3172 |
Cove House | La Jolla CA | 858-999-0034 |
Mitch's Seafood | San Diego CA | 619-316-7314 |
Sheraton Carlsbad (20/20) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
Blue Ocean | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-4959 |
Casa | San Diego CA | 619-581-3003 |
Ridgeview Health Center | San Diego CA | 858-293-3950 |
Shore Rider | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5308 |
Pendry SD (Pastry) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
Pacific Yacht Agents | Los Angeles CA | 808-214-0970 |
Third Corner Encinitas | Encinitas CA | (760) 942-2104 |
Miguel's 4S Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-924-9200 |
Jo's Mission Hills Diner | San Diego CA | 619-417-3801 |
Siamo Napoli | San Diego CA | 619-300-4810 |
Pacific Coast Spirits | Oceanside CA | 925-381-5392 |
Peace Pies | San Diego CA | 619-618-6960 |
Belmont Park Entertainment | San Diego CA | 858-228-9283 |
PFC Fitness Camp | Carlsbad CA | 888-488-8936 |
Gravity Heights Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-384-5993 |
Sago | Encinitas CA | 858-382-4047 |
Harney Sushi | San Diego CA | 619-295-3272 |
Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
Harney Poway Sushi | Poway CA | 760-533-0051 |
Extraordinary Desserts Union St. | San Diego CA | 619-294-7001 |
El Sueno (TAKO) | San Diego CA | 619-972-6286 |
Crown Point Catering | San Diego CA | 619-223-1211 |
The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
Lafayette Hotel - Quixote | San Diego CA | 619-296-2101 |
Miguel's Cocina Carlsbad | Carlsbad CA | 760-759-1843 |
Woods Hole Oceanographic Inst. | San Diego CA | 508-289-2667 |
The Remy (bar) | San Diego CA | 619-886-1358 |
JRDN Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-270-5736 |
Hasta Manana Cantina | San Diego CA | 619-276-6700 |
Temaki | Encinitas CA | 702-489-2129 |
Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
Mille Fleurs | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-3085 |
Portside Pier (TopSail) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
Prey Brewing Company | Vista CA | 760-822-4226 |
Bali Hai Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-222-1181 |
Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 619-795-9135 |
Thai One On | Carlsbad CA | 760-500-8674 |
La Costa Resort & Spa Pastry | Carlsbad CA | 760-431-8455 |
The Local-Pacific Beach | San Diego CA | 858-263-7475 |
La Dona | San Diego CA | 858-352-8134 |
Peace Pies (Encinitas) | Encinitas CA | 619-618-6960 |
Cloak and Petal | San Diego CA | 626-319-6878 |
Portside Pier (Miguels) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
Fay's Diner and Cafe | San Diego CA | 661-858-8895 |
Miss B's Coconut Club | San Diego CA | 858-381-0855 |
Red Tail Catering | San Marcos CA | 858-605-8219 |
Ketch Grill and Taps | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
Sets Kitchen and Bar | San Marcos CA | 970-390-2148 |
Brockton Villa Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-454-7393 |
Cody's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0040 |
Ju-Ichi | San Diego CA | 619-800-2203 |
Louisiana Purchase | San Diego CA | 619-255-8278 |
The Sushi Stand | San Diego CA | 619-394-2395 |
Reata Glen | Ladera Ranch CA | 949-545-2250 |
Harney Sushi Oceanside | Oceanside CA | 760-967-1820 |
Moment Sushi | San Diego CA | 858-230-6268 |
The Wild Thyme Company | San Diego CA | 858-527-0226 |
Brigantine Pt Loma | San Diego CA | 619-224-2871 |
Brigantine Imperial Beach | Imperial Beach CA | 619-591-1350 |
Fifty Two Remedies Bar | San Diego CA | 858-707-7016 |
Kettner Exchange | San Diego CA | 909-915-9877 |
Coast Catering | Escondido CA | 619-295-3173 |
Fresco Cocina | Carlsbad CA | 760-720-3737 |
Marriott Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-369-6029 |
Brigantine Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1166 |
Blue Water Estate Services | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-720-9831 |
Belmont Park Cannonball | San Diego CA | 858-228-9283 |
Miguel's Cocina Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-437-4237 |
Portside Pier (Brigantine) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
Pacifica Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-0505 |
Miguel's Cocina Pt Loma | San Diego CA | 619-224-2401 |
La CasaVerde Mexican Eats | San Diego CA | 619-855-5241 |
Bernardo Heights Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-487-4022 |
Brigantine Escondido | Escondido CA | 760-743-4718 |
Aztec Shop Catering | San Diego CA | 619 594-3576 |
Parisien Gourmandises | La Jolla CA | 858-352-6552 |
Sushi Nekosan | La Jolla CA | 858-999-0999 |
La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
Brigantine Poway | Poway CA | 858-486-3066 |
Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
El Sueno | San Diego CA | 619-972-6286 |
Sheraton La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-453-5500 |
Fort Oak | San Diego CA | 619-795-6901 |
University Club | San Diego CA | 619-234-5200 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Mangoes. One is easiest, three is harder.
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