jueves, marzo 28, 2024

LEARN ABOUT BAJA’S WILD SIDE: THE MANGO

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Mangifera Indica which are mainly tropical fruit trees. This genus belongs to the family of flowering plants Anacardiaceae. The mango is indigenous to India where it has been part of their diet for over 4000 years. It is related to the pistachio, cashew and plum trees. The origin of the word Mango comes from its Sanskrit name which is am, which in turn means provisions, and later there was an adaptation of the Tamil name for the mango fruit, mang-kay. Furthermore, in 1498 during the spice trade between Portugal and Kerala in Malaysia, the English word for mango originated from the Malaysian word  māṅṅa or manga. The mango first spread from India all through Asia and the far east and then arrived in Acapulco, Mexico in 1775 when the Spanish galleons sailed their  trade routes from the Philippines. After arriving in the Pacific coast of Mexico, it arrived one hundred years later in the Gulf of Mexico coast at the port of Veracruz coming from the British Antilles. The mango has been called the king of fruits for many reasons. It accounts for over  35% of the worldwide tropical fruit consumption, the tree can grow over 35 meters tall, bear fruit in 4 years, and keep producing  for as long as 50 years or more. There are also mango trees that can be 300 to 400 years old and some specimens still bear fruit. Every summer mango trees bear fruit, but some varieties give double crops. It is also the national fruit of India, Pakistan, and the Philippines and the national tree of Bangladesh.  It is said that the Mughal emperor Akbar planted over 100,000 mango trees in Darbhanga, India. The goddess Ambika is always depicted sitting under a mango tree as well as the deity Ganesha is represented with a ripe mango in its hand, symbolizing the potential of attaining perfection. Here in Baja we are blessed to have an abundance of mangos in the summertime. Some varieties include Kent, Ataulfo also known as Manila. We also have mango Manzano, Criollo, Machete,  Papayo and the outstanding  Tempranero de Mayo which is ready early season, just to name the most well known and popular. Some great spots to find mango orchards nearby are San Jose del Cabo, Santa Anita, Santiago, Pescadero, San Pedrito and Todos Santos. Although there are countless thriving areas throughout Southern Baja. So when visiting Los Cabos don’t forget to get yourself some mangos. Besides being so savory they are very good for you as they have too many great nutritious and healing properties to list here. Now I am off to get a mango smoothie after all this mango talk! *    ]]>

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