The mango tree is not just a tree to yields thousands of varieties of mangoes. It’s much more than a source of mangoes. It is part of culture, festivals, language, civilizations, and diplomacy. It’s called as king of all fruits. Its origin is traced to ancient civilizations. Mango trees are large with different heights and average size trees from the canopy.
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History
The Mango is
said to have its origin in Asia (Southern India, 5000 years ago) and is now
cultivated all over the world. The word mango is derived from “manke” a
Tamil word. Portuguesa merchants were the first to use the word “manga”. In the 15th
and 16th centuries, British merchants change the term manga into
“mango”.
Mango Tree
The mango tree
(Mangifera Indica) has numerous benefits, such as leaves, barks and even their
kernels and skin are used for various purposes.
Height
The tree is a tropical(hot) region species. Their growth is associated with temperatures
above 30°F. Mango trees are susceptible to low temperatures and below
30°F can damage the growth of trees and affect the quantity and
quality of fruits yield.
The height
of the tree depends on the exposure to sunlight, its average height is 15-16
meters (50 feet). Sometimes reaching the height of 100 feet. Their large,
leathery leaves 5-15 inches in length remain on the tree for 1-2 years.
“Oldest
mango tree is found in Khandish of Central India, which is 300 years old and
still bear fruits”.
Mango is a
fruit with various tastes, some are pulpy, juicy, and sweet, and some are sour. Their
taste depends on the cultivated region. Mangoes are kidney-shaped or heart-shaped, round or oval, and weigh around 150-670 grams.
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| Mango Fruit |
Like some other fruits, e.g., apples, berries,
and cherries, they are of different shapes, colors, and sizes. Mango fruit
contains very soft, juicy, and sweet soft flesh, which encloses a very large flat,
hairy, non-edible seed.
Some mangoes have fibrous, soft flesh
tastes like pineapple, lemon, mint, or banana, but their distinct taste has
nothing to do with any other fruit.
“According
to Guinness World Records, the biggest mango was 30.48 cm in length, 49.53 cm in circumference and a width of 17.78 cm. It weighs about 3.5 kilos”.
Varieties:
Depending on
the region there are over 2500 varieties of mangoes are produced all over the
world. The taste of mangoes depends on the type and region where it is cultivated. Tropical
(Hotter) regions' mangoes are golden in color and sweeter in taste than the
tropical (hot) regions' mangoes.
“Mango
lovers can taste over 500 varieties of mangoes at the Mango Festival in Delhi.”
Mango Nutrients
Mature mangoes are a good source of
vitamins (A and C), antioxidants, fibers, minerals, and Beta-carotene. It contains
59 calories per 100 g.
Health Benefits
Various research studies have shown
that fiber, vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, flavonoids, and antioxidants
boost the human immune system and protect the body against lethal diseases, such
as different types of cancer (colon, breast,
lungs, oral
cavity, prostate) and, leukemia.
A new study has shown that a high proportion
of Vitamin A, and its antioxidant properties, it is essential for maintaining healthy
skin and vision.
Mangoes are also a source of sodium
and potassium. 100 g of mango contains 156 mg of potassium and 2 mg of sodium.
Potassium is an essential part of body
fluids and cellular functions, which helps to control heart rate and blood pressure.
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), vitamin C, and
vitamin E help the immune system to develop resistance against pathogens and
provide protection against free radicles.
Vitamin B6 assists in the production of
GABA hormone in the brain (a neurotransmitter). It controls the level of
homocysteine in the blood. A high level of homocysteine is harmful to blood
vessels and an agent of coronary artery disease(CAD), and Stroke.
In addition, mangoes contain Copper,
an important cofactor for vital enzymes (Cytochrome-C, oxidase, and dismutase
peroxide). Copper is also required for the production of RBCs (red blood
cells).
Mango Diplomacy
The term mango diplomacy was echoed by
Indian media in 1968. The then Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Sharifuddin
Pirzada visited China and gifted 40 boxes of mangoes to the Chines leader Mao
Zedong.
Pakistan mango diplomacy expands its market by
sending mango gifts to its Muslim brother nations and its neighbors.
Mango and cultures/festivals
The present civilization is evolving in the form
of different cultures and festivals commemorated in the past. There was a tradition
in the past, be it Wedding, Eid or any other tradition, people cooked mangoes.
In other ceremonies, gifts of mangoes were exchanged between families.
The first fruit of the season was sent to the
homes of daughters, sisters, and loved ones.
“This traditional style is
no more with us. Families either poor or rich have to buy the first fruit of the season
(mangoes) from the markets and exchange it according to their means”.
This tradition is still alive in some parts of
Asia where there is no concept of a Digital World (mobile and internet) and
people are living happily with their traditions.
National Fruit
Mango is the
national fruit of India, Pakistan, and the Philippines. It is the national tree of
Bangladesh.
“The
mango tree is Holy Tree to Buddhism”.
Mirza Ghalib Event
A famous Muslim poet Mirza Ghalib was fond of
mangoes. Once he had a conversation over mango with a friend “Mirza”, who don’t
like mangoes:
Ghalib: Mangoes are sweet and
delicious.
Mirza: Put some mangoes in
front of a donkey. The donkey left without touching the mango.
Mirza to Ghalib: Look, the donkey doesn’t
eat mangoes.
Ghalib: Immediately said, yes,
the donkeys do not eat mangoes.
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| Mangoes |
Mangoes in Pakistan
The summer season in
Pakistan is the season of the first fruit (mango). Wide varieties of mangoes are
grown in Pakistan. It is the sixth-largest producer of mangoes in the world. In
Pakistan, mangoes are usually grown in hot areas and used in many ways: eaten
directly, in salads, in desserts, mango pickles, smoothies, milkshakes, or even
mango lassi.
The varieties of mangoes
produced in Pakistan are popular all over the world. The most popular varieties
of mangoes found in Pakistan are:
I.
Chaunsa
II.
Lal Basha
III.
Sindhri
IV.
Dussehri
V.
Anwar Atol
VI.
Sunehra
VII.
Neelum
VIII.
Langra
IX.
Almas
X.
Sensation
XI.
Gulab Khas
XII.
Fajri
The Mango tree is easily grown in the foot garden in tropical regions. This is because the soil is not the most important factor for its growth, an ideal climate is necessary for its growth.
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