FOOD TALES: A Fruit Rich In Vitamins; A Fruit That Tastes Like Heaven; Mango, Our Beloved Friend

With over 1000 varieties, mango has increasingly spread across the world and has become a favourite fruit to many. India is responsible for over 55 percent of the world’s mango produce. Along with the fact that the Indians love themselves a rich mango season, it seems fairly justified that mango is named the king of fruits as well as the national fruit of India.

My secret to beat the heat every summer is to look at the bright side - the mango season. I love the fact that there are so many different varieties to splurge on that I can never have enough. Many of us generalise mangoes to an extent where we are unaware of its various kinds and the several varieties. From kothapalli kobbari to panchandaara kelisem, to cheruku rasaalu to the local favourite himayat. Every mango is different. Every mango is special. Every mango should be tasted and relished.

A lot of concerns are raised about whether mangoes are good for you or not. The sugars in the fruit are considered fattening and mangoes are therefore overlooked by a lot of people. The truth is, mangoes contain natural sugars and a whole lot of vitamins and minerals that are good for your health if eaten as a fruit. If you are someone like me who likes to savour several mangoes a day, you must replace them with a meal instead of consuming them as an add-on.

A borderline diabetic person may also enjoy the goodness of this delicious fruit especially if they are combined with greens and other fibre rich foods in their diet.

Mangoes contain a significant amount of Vitamin C and the Vitamin A in mangoes can stay through your body for the entire year. Which is why mangoes are considered to be an excellent source of nourishment for those in need.

Buddha in ancient times was given a mango grove to rest and since then mangoes are also considered a sign of attainment.

Not only are mangoes known for their superior and excellent taste, they are also used as a symbol of friendship around here. Exchanging mangoes is a seen as a sign of friendship. It is considered a thoughtful and heartfelt gesture to share happiness with someone.

My heart goes out to friendly gestures like these. Every area of our country has its signature varieties. We must encourage each creation along with all its exclusivity and taste. As a child, it was my family tradition to sit together, identify, share and savour different mangoes every day of summer courtesy my grandparents’ mango orchards. When I first came back to India, I had never tasted a variety called peddarasalu, inspite of having tried several kinds of mangoes. I was blessed with a neighbour who welcomed me with the same. This tradition has been continuing since. I am grateful.

For those of you who fear mangoes, don’t be afraid and balance them out. Mangoes are every bit nutritious as any other fruit and should be enjoyed while the season lasts. So go out there and buy yourself some delicious and delectable sweet mangoes before they are gone for the year! As always beware of artificially grown fruits and unnaturally ripened mangoes. Enjoy the king of fruits in all its goodness at its natural best. Happy mangoes to you!

About Sridevi Jasti:

Ms. Sridevi Jasti is an award-winning nutritionist, founder and master chef at Vibrant Living Foods. A firm believer in the benefits of Vegan food, she innovates highly nutritious, tasty and ready-to-eat food.

Recently she was awarded as the Nutritionist of the year 2016 by the Ritz magazine in association with Apollo.

For more information on Vibrant Living and Sridevi , do follow her on Instagram and Facebook.