Botanically, mango is a drupe, consisting of an outer skin, a fleshy edible portion, and a central stone enclosing a single seed – also called stone fruit, like a plum, cherry or peach.
Where do mangos come from? Mangos were first grown in India over 5,000 years ago.
Mango seeds traveled with humans from Asia to the Middle East, East Africa and South America beginning around 300 or 400 A.D.
The paisley pattern, developed in India, is based on the shape of a mango.
A basket of mangos is considered a gesture of friendship in India.
The mango is a symbol of love in India.
Legend says that Buddha meditated under the cool shade of a mango tree.
Mangos are related to cashews and pistachios.
A ripe mango is known to be 14% sugar by weight and 0.5% acid by weight, with a sugar-acid ratio of 28.
Spanish explorers brought mangos to South America and Mexico in the 1600’s. The first attempt to introduce the mango into the U.S. came in 1833 to Florida.
The species name of the mango is Mangiferi indica, which means “an Indian plant bearing mangos.”
Mango bark, leaves, skin, flesh and the pit have been used in folk remedies for centuries.
