Egyptian Ewais Mangoes
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Ewais mangoes are sold in two sizes in markets, one small and compact and one larger, but the most commonly seen version is a medium to large varietal, averaging 7 to 10 centimeters in diameter and 10 to 12 centimeters in length. The fruits have an oval to oblong shape with a broad and wide nature. The variety also showcases a distinct point on the non-stem end and puckering around the stem end. The skin is semi-thick and mostly smooth with a light powdery texture and some bumps are found across the surface. The skin also ripens from muted green to yellow-green and golden yellow hues when ripe, with some dark brown markings. Underneath the surface, the yellow-orange flesh is dense, aqueous, soft, tender, and succulent when mature. The flesh also envelops a small and thin seed that is discarded during consumption. Ewais mangoes emit a fresh, tropical, and aromatic scent when sliced open. The fruits are mainly consumed ripe and are known for their high sugar content, sometimes reaching over 23 degrees Brix, a measurement of sugar. Ewais mangoes have a balanced, sweet, and tangy flavor with zingy, citrusy, tropical, fruity, and floral nuances.
Seasons/Availability
Ewais mangoes are harvested in the summer in Egypt, typically between June through October.
Current Facts
Ewais mangoes, botanically classified as Mangifera indica, are an Egyptian variety belonging to the Anacardiaceae family. Egypt cultivates over two-hundred varieties of mangoes and has become a prominent producer and exporter of the fruit. Ewais mangoes are one of the most commercially grown Egyptian varieties and are sold domestically and shipped internationally for its distinct sweet and sour flavor. The variety is also famous for its juicy, tender, and succulent flesh, qualities developed from its ideal growing conditions. Ewais mangoes are a polyembryonic variety cultivated in tropical, warm, and humid regions of Egypt with ample amounts of sunlight mixed with fertile soil. The variety produces moderately sized harvests and the fruits are hand-picked to protect their delicate nature. In commercial markets, Ewais may be known under several name variations, including Awais, Awees, Owais, Oweis, and Aweis. Medium-to-large fruits are labeled as Ewais, while smaller fruits are sold as Fass or Fas Ewais. “Fass” is a term from Arabic that roughly translates to mean “segment,” “son of,” or something “smaller in size.” Fass Ewais mangoes are often promoted by vendors for their compact nature and concentrated flavor and are sold alongside the larger Ewais fruits in neatly arranged piles in fresh markets.
Nutritional Value
Ewais mangoes have not been extensively studied for their nutritional properties. Some sources mention that the variety and mangoes, in general, may be a source of vitamin C to strengthen the immune system, fiber to regulate the digestive tract, vitamin B6 to keep the nervous system healthy, and vitamin E to protect the cells against the damage caused by free radicals. Mangoes also provide iron to develop the protein hemoglobin for oxygen transport through the bloodstream, calcium to support bones and teeth, potassium to balance fluid levels within the body, and other nutrients, including vitamins A and K, folate, magnesium, and phosphorus. In Egypt, mangoes are sometimes referred to as fruits that bring happiness due to their tryptophan content, an essential amino acid converted in the body into serotonin. Mangoes also contain antioxidants that contribute anti-inflammatory properties.
Applications
Ewais mangoes have a sweet, tangy, fruity, floral, and subtle spice-like flavor suited for fresh and cooked preparations. The variety is typically consumed out of hand and is cut horizontally, twisted in half, and opened, removing the seed. These halves are scooped with a spoon, eating the flesh directly from the fruit. Ewais mangoes are also sliced and added to green and fruit salads, blended into smoothies and juices, or frozen into sorbets and sherbets. In Egypt, beyond fresh eating, Ewais mangoes are popularly incorporated into desserts. The most famous dessert, konafa, also known as kunafa, is a phyllo-dough dish filled with a combination of cheese, sugar, and cream. The Egyptian version is a twist on the traditional Middle Eastern recipe and also uses fresh mangoes as a topping in the summer as a sweet twist. Ewais mangoes are also used in puddings, called mahalabia in Egypt, and basboussa cakes, a buttery, rich, and decadent dessert. In addition to sweet preparations, Ewais mangoes complement savory dishes and can be halved, grilled and coated in lime juice, honey, and chile pepper as a side dish. The variety is also added to koshari, a grain-based recipe that has many variations with rich aromatics, vegetables, and proteins. Ewais mangoes pair well with other fruits such as coconut, kiwis, and green grapes, vanilla, caramel, maple syrup, brown sugar, and herbs including coriander, mint, and basil. Whole, unopened Ewais mangoes should be ripened at room temperature. Once mature, it is recommended to immediately consume the fruits for the best quality and flavor. Ewais mangoes are also dried for extended use and are eaten throughout the year.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Ewais and other locally grown Egyptian mangoes are notably promoted through the annual Mango Festival in the city of Ismailia in northeastern Egypt. Ismailia resides on the bank of the Suez Canal and has an ideal climate suited for mango cultivation. Ismailia is one of the largest mango-growing regions in Egypt and produces the majority of fruits that are sold domestically and exported internationally. In 2019, the first mango festival in Egypt was held in Cairo, but in 2022, the Egyptian government partnered with the Mango Union of Ismailia to host a festival in the central growing region, approximately one hundred kilometers from Cairo. The two-day Ismailia Mango Festival is a celebration of mangoes, their local growers, and the contribution the fruits have made to boosting the economy in Egypt. Government officials hope the festival will help increase tourism and sales of Egyptian mangoes. The festival is promoted using the slogan the “juiciest festival in Egypt” and features a parade, bazaar, live entertainment, and musical performances. The festival also features a mango market, where fresh fruits are sold at wholesale prices. Beyond tourism, the Ismailia Mango Festival also holds several professional networking events between local and international businesses to established and maintain relations between companies involved in the sales, exports, and cultivation of mangoes. In Ismailia, Ewais mangoes are one of the most popular and famous varieties, valued for its sweet and juicy nature.
Geography/History
Ewais mangoes are native to Egypt and are descendants of mango varieties originally introduced from Asia. Mangoes were thought to have been carried from India or Sri Lanka and planted in Egypt sometime in the 1820s or 1830s during the reign of Mohamed Ali Pasha. The first mango tree in Egypt was rumored to have been planted in the Shubra palace garden, now an area a part of the Ain Shams University’s Faculty of Agriculture in the modern day. Mango trees were initially viewed as an ornamental and were favored for their decorative nature. Over time, mangoes were later harvested and consumed as fresh-eating fruits. Cultivation of mango trees expanded after the fruits became a delicacy, and trees were planted along the Nile River and Suez Canal in warm, tropical regions. The origins of Ewais mangoes are mostly unknown. Some sources mention that the variety may have arisen from growing regions near the Suez Canal and were named after an Egyptian minister, but these claims have not been definitively confirmed. Today, Ewais mangoes are grown in areas with ample sunlight, fertile soil, and high humidity in Egypt. They are noted growing in the Ismailia region, in the Nile Delta, Suez Canal regions, and Upper Egypt. The variety is sold domestically in local markets as a delicacy and is widely available when in season. Outside of Egypt, Ewais mangoes are popularly exported and sent to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Russia, and Europe. In Europe, Ewais mangoes are sold in small quantities in Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Greece, France, and Spain. The variety is also grown as a novelty in Hawaii and Florida. The Ewais mangoes featured in the photograph above were sourced from the Varvakios Central Municipal Market in Athens, Greece.
