Green and Ripe Mango
Here in south central Thailand we are just starting the Mango season. So today in celebration of the arrival of one of my favourite tropical fruits I thought I might share a little Mango trivia with you.
For me one of the compensations for the arrival of the hot humid season here in Thailand is the abundance of tropical fruit that arrives on our doorstep(quite literally) as my neighbours share their abundant harvest with us. Judging by the assortment of both green and ripe Mango’s we have received in the last week or so it looks like being an excellent year for the fruit despite the drought conditions.
Although there are over 1000 species of Mango they come from two main genera, one that originated in India and one from the Philippines. The latter is the one found in Thailand since the former is not tolerant to high humidity levels and subject to fungal attacks.
Mango Trivia-Fact or Myth?
- Bangkok is known as the Big Mango, but do you know why? Well it seems that back in the 1990′s the Tourism Authority of Thailand(TAT), wishing to emulate(copy?) New York(Big Apple) choose the name as a way of promoting the city. Apparently they(TAT) also considered the “Big Chilli” too
- The skin of the Mango is slightly toxic and can cause contact dermatitis on human skin. People who are allergic to the likes of poison ivy may develop a rash on their hands and even on their lips and inside their mouths when consuming mango. Incidentally contact with the leaves of the tree can cause the same effect.
- Mangoes are high in anti-oxidants, dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals. Ripe mangoes are also quite high in calories found in the natural sugars the ripening process generates.
- In Thailand the mango is eaten both green and ripe. In the latter case as a sweet along with sticky rice laced with coconut milk.
- Mango is sometimes referred to as the King of Fruits, although in Thailand this title usually goes to Durian.
- Someone once said that the best place to eat a mango was in a bath, referring I think to the difficulty non-Asians sometimes have in peeling and removing the flesh from the pit.
- Thailand is the fifth largest producer of mangoes in the world.
- The Buddha is said to have performed miracles under a Mango tree.
- A Mango is classified as a drupe-a fruit that has a hard pit that encases the actual seed and is further protected by a tough skin and flesh.
- The wood of the mango tree makes very decorative items like bowls but should not be burned since it gives off toxic fumes.
Finally before I go a mango trivia question for you. Name the Scottish actor who has connections with a Mango Tree, but not in Thailand.
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