Lagatar Desk: On hearing the name of mango, most of us get water in our mouth. Due to its taste, it is also called the king of fruits. It is one of the most popular fruits around the world. It is not only a fruit but a part of the culture and history of many countries. National Mango Day is celebrated in India every year on 22nd July in honour of the ‘King of Fruits’. This day is completely dedicated to that delicious fruit which people love very much. Whether its pulp or juice. Apart from this, mango can be enjoyed in various forms like smoothies, mousses, ice cream or mango pie. Mango has been one of the most widely grown fruits in most tropical countries, but it is a major fruit in India and also has the largest number of varieties. Despite being the ‘King of Fruits’, mango is one of the most popular super fruits worldwide, which is packed with many health benefits.
History of Mango in India
Although the history and origin of celebrating National Mango Day on 22nd July is unknown, the history of this fruit is rich and colourful. The origin of this fruit is believed to be between Myanmar, Bangladesh and North East India. Mangoes began to be grown in India five thousand years ago and have become an essential part of Indian folklore and religious rituals. Buddha was given a mango orchard as a gift. The scientific word mengifera is derived from the Sanskrit word manjari, which means flowers that grow in small clusters. This indicates the Indian roots of this fruit.
How mango got its name
‘Mango’ is derived from the Malayalam word ‘manna’. In 1498, when Portuguese traders reached Kerala to trade spices, they changed the word ‘manna’ to ‘manga’. Till that time there was no introduction of mango to the western world. Mango plant was first planted in Brazil in 1700 AD. Before this, no one in the Western Hemisphere had heard of a mango tree or seed. The mango took root in the West Indies around 1740, four decades after it was planted in Brazil, and thus the world became acquainted with the sweet and juicy fruit.
Some interesting facts related to mango
- The colour of a mango peel is not always a reliable indicator of its ripeness. To know how ripe or tasty the fruit will be, it is better to give it a little squeeze.
- Mango contains various nutrients. When it is green, the amount of vitamin C in mango is high and when it is ripe, the amount of vitamin A keeps increasing in it.
- Mango is also rich in potassium, fibre and vitamin B6, which is a very important superfood for our body.
- By eating mango, you will never become fat or you will not gain weight. Mango does not contain even 1 gram of fat per mango. Only artificial drinks and mango flavoured food products are fatty.
- Mango bark, leaves and pulp have been used as home medicines for centuries.
- There are 500 types of mangoes found all over the world. Japanese Miyazaki Among the world’s most expensive mangoes, Bangladesh declared the mango tree as its national tree in 2019.
