7 Facts About Mangoes

1. The mango is a tropical tree originating from the tropical regions of China and India. There are about 35–40 different varieties of mango, but the most popular and widely sold is Mangifera indica. Mango trees are evergreen, have deep roots, and can grow to a significant height—up to 30 meters—with a maximum spread of about 10 meters.

2. The shape and color of the fruit vary among varieties, ranging from light yellow to orange and even red. Some mango varieties are ripe while still green, and there are sour varieties that are red. So how can you tell if a mango is ripe? The answer is simple: by its fragrance.

3. Do you have a mango tree in your garden? If so, it’s important to pick the fruit before it fully ripens. Mangoes picked after ripening may fall from the tree and become inedible. For proper ripening, the fruit should be kept at room temperature. Once ripe, it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three weeks. Each picked fruit should also be cleaned of any resin residue.

4. Did you know? In India, mango seeds are roasted and ground to serve as a flour substitute and to make drinks, a practice mainly used by poorer populations. In other regions, mango seed residues are used as feed for cattle and poultry, as fertilizer, and sometimes as raw materials for roof frames, shoes, and more. In West Africa, resin from the mango tree trunk is used to repair pottery.

5. The mango tree is considered highly fruitful. A 10–20-year-old tree can produce about 200–300 fruits annually. Mango trees can begin producing fruit as early as age three, although according to the Halachot Orlah, fruit may only be eaten starting from the tree’s fourth year.

6. Mango, like many fruits and vegetables, has numerous nutritional and medicinal uses. It is a good source of iron, vitamin C, and vitamin A (containing about 20 times more vitamin A than an orange). The bark contains compounds that strengthen the immune system and, according to some studies, may suppress tumors. Soaking mango seeds in water is believed to help treat diarrhea, intestinal worms, and bleeding, while an infusion made from mango leaves is used to treat fever, diabetes, hypertension, and diarrhea.

7. The mango fruit is a rich natural source of antioxidants, which neutralize carcinogens. In addition, mangoes help maintain blood thinning and alkalinity, support digestive system function, and help maintain low cholesterol levels.

Its blessing:Borei Pri Ha’etz.