We’re excited to highlight one of our favorite fruit of summer season mangos! Mangos are one of the most popular fruits in the world, and for great reason!
First grown in India over 5,000 years ago, mangos require warm, dry weather for premium quality fruit. They are grown in tropical areas – where the atmosphere is perfect for this sweet, flavorful fruit. Mangos are low in calories and high in fiber, and used in many recipes like low-fat desserts, smoothies, salads, muffins or alongside sweet white rice. One cup of mango is just 100 calories, and they also provide your daily serving of Vitamin C.
CHOOSING A MANGO:
Choosing a mango is an art. You can’t always judge a ripe mango by it’s color. Instead, you should go off how the mango feels when squeezed gently. If it gives slightly, then it should be ready for consumption. Also the aroma from the stem is another indication. If you have a firm mango, allowing it to sit on your counter top for a few days should be all it needs. You can also place the mango in a paper bag at room temperature to speed up the ripening process.
SLICING A MANGO:
Most commonly, mangos are cut in half, away from the seeds, which are white in color. If you want mango cubes, slice each mango carefully to the skin in a grid pattern, fold out, then cut out the cubes from the skin.
ENJOYING YOUR MANGO:
Mangos are great for enjoying as a healthy snack au natural, and also using in a variety of recipes, from smoothies and refreshing drinks.