July 22 marks National Mango Day. King of fruits, Mango, is among one of the juicy, sweet, high in antioxidants, the mankind has been blessed with.
The tasty and the most-liked fruit, Mango is loaded with health benefits such as improved immunity, digestive health and eyesight, as well as a lower risk of certain cancers, prevents heart strokes, improve hair and skin health
Mango is low in calories yet high in nutrients especially Vitamin C, which boosts immunity, iron absorption and growth and repair.
History of Mango Day
The history of mango dates back to over 5000 years ago and as per the reports, the king of fruits was first cultivated in India. It is a stone fruit that grows on a tropical tree called the Mangifera indica, which grows up to 150 feet tall and can have an extremely long life span. The mango plant generally takes 4-5 months to bloom from a flower to a fully ripen tree. When it is young, the mango tree has orange-red leaves that turn dark red to green over time.
Apparently, from India, the mango seed traveled across the Asia and reached East Africa, Middle East, and South America.
Notably, in South Asia, mangoes are so valued that they are considered the national fruit of India as well Pakistan. Mango is the national tree of Bangladesh and a basket of mangoes is also considered a gesture of friendship in the region.
Here are some ways in which you can add delicious, versatile mango to your diet:
1. Add it to smoothies
2. Dice it and add to salsas
3. Toss it into a summer salad
4. Slice it and serve it along with other tropical fruits
5. Dice it and add to quinoa salads.
Varieties of Mango available:
The yellow fruit is world-famous and is usually enjoyed during peak summertime. It comes in all shapes and sizes, and with each variety, there’s a different way to enjoy the taste.
1. Alphonso Mangoes
2. Kesar Mangoes
3. Dasheri Mangoes
4. Safeda Mangoes
5. Chausa Mangoes
6.Langara Mangoes
7. Totapuri Mangoes
8. Gulab Khass Mangoes
9.Mallika Mangoes, and much more
Also Read:Ice Cream Day 2021: Checkout various ways you can enjoy ice cream keeping your fitness in mind!
Here are some Mangolicious Dishes for you to enjoy with family:
All in for Aamras - This one goes without saying and is by far the easiest dessert you can make! Nothing beats this sweet and smooth flavor on a summer noon. It's not just a sweet escape but is full of nutritional elements. They're mostly made with sweet Alphonso mangoes for the natural sweet essence, so pick the right Mangoes before you blend them!
Fuse the Fizz - If you are looking for something fresh and light, Mango Fizz is the ultimate solution. While lemon soda may be the summer drink, you can always add some mango pulp to twist the taste! This perfect blend of soda, lemon, mint leaves, and mango will leave you refreshed and all energized.
Make space for Cheesecake! - A mango cheesecake makes it a perfect summer dessert for those short get-togethers. The process of making a no-bake mango cheesecake is simple, easy, and delicious to devour! All you need are some rich flavored mangoes, so make sure you pick good quality ones. A rich dessert requires rich fruits!
Blend it in a Milkshake - Summers are incomplete without these, aren't they? If you love milkshakes, mangoes are your go-to fruit! Out of the very few fruits that blend well with milk, Mango happens to be one. So, make the most of this healthy choice! You can also blend in a few chocolate pieces and make it a Mango-chocolate shake.
Mango Kesari or Halwa - The season calls for something special, and if one can blend fruits into delicious recipes, then why not? The simple recipe of halwa with mango mixture can add up to the sweet flavor. It's an easy recipe to try at home when you're craving something sweet and fruity!
Time for Lassi - Last but not least, Mango lassi not just makes a tasty drink but also has major health benefits. The mixture of mango and yogurt is healthy for your gut, helps in digestion, and keeps your stomach cool. With minimal effort, mango lassi is a must-have summer drink!
Key Note for Readers
Despite being rich in antioxidants and health benefits, the yummy summer fruit is full of sucrose as compared to other fruits. Therefore, you must limit mango intake to no more than two cups per day.