Mango Mania!
Who doesn't love mangoes? These sweet, healthy fruits are currently at the peak of their season and are available right here on Kauai. To celebrate, we thought it would be fun to share some mango history, health benefits, recipes, and cutting tips, as well as letting you know about the many delicious varieties in stock at the nursery.
If you don't have a mango nearby, I'd suggest you find one before reading--my mouth was watering just from writing this.
Mango Fast Facts
From our friends at Plant It Hawaii, one of our suppliers, here are a few fast facts about the history, cultivation, and (most importantly) consumption of this delectable fruit:
The first plants were brought to Hawaii around 1824 from India and the Philippines.
The mango grows best in areas with 40-60 inches of rain annually. It grows into a large, spreading tree that can grow to 20 feet tall or more.
A grafted tree will begin to bear fruit after 3-4 years in the ground, with most varieties being harvested in the summer months.
The fruits are mostly eaten fresh, but are easily made into ice cream, chutney, relish, pickles, preserves, juice and a wide array of baked delights.
Mango Health Benefits
As if the tastiness of mangoes weren't enough of a reason to eat them, eating mangoes has many health benefits. According to Medical News Today, regularly eating mangoes may:
Improve bone health. Mangoes contain vitamin K, an important nutrient for preventing bone fractures.
Prevent asthma. The beta-carotene in mangoes lowers the risk of developing asthma.
Reduce the risk of certain cancers. The beta-carotene in mangoes won't just help you breathe easier--it may also protect against colon and prostate cancers.
Keep your skin and hair healthy. Mangoes are high in vitamin A and vitamin C, both important for healthy hair and skin.
Tasty and healthy--what could be better?
Mangoes at Kauai Seascapes Nursery
At Kauai Seascapes Nursery, we carry mango varieties to suit all tastes. We make sure to stock only anthracnose resistant plants. Anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) is a fungus that can cause mango leaves, stems, and fruits to blacken and die. Particularly on the wet North Shore, anthracnose can prevent mangoes from producing fruit. Because of this we do not stock the popular "Haden" variety, but we are proud to carry anthracnose resistant trees! Click here for our full list of mango trees for sale
How to Cut a Mango
First off, if you haven't seen this amazing video of "great mango cutting style," you have to watch it. This guy is insanely talented!
If you want to attempt this technique, go right ahead, but for most of us mere mortals, the video below is probably more useful (and perfect if you just want to eat the mango plain):
For more ideas, check out three popular ways to cut a mango, courtesy of Mango.org.
Fun Mango Recipes
Here are a few mango recipes you can try:
Mango-Pineapple Salsa by Brown Eyed Baker
Mango-Mint Limeade by Emily C of Food52
Mango Lassi Popsicles by A Spicy Perspective
For even more ideas, check out 25 Mango Recipes You Need To Try, courtesy of the Huffington Post.And if you're looking for an attractive centerpiece to pair with your mango dish, check out our tutorial on how to make a tropical flower arrangement.
Add More Mangoes to Your Life
Curious what kind of mango tree is best for your yard? Need some growing tips? Just want to chat about your favorite mango recipes? Come on over to Kauai Seascapes Nursery, and we'll be happy to help. I'll leave you with "Mango Walk," a funky reggae song to groove out to while enjoying your favorite mango treat.
Happy growing, harvesting, and eating!