National Mango Day is coming up and it has us feeling all the summertime vibes! Believed to have begun in India - the homeland of the fruit itself – National Mango Day is also celebrated here in the U.S. on July 22nd. With this in mind, we thought it would be fun to share some quick mango fun facts, explore the benefits of one of the world’s most popular fruits, and share our favorite honey and mango recipes.
Mango Fast Facts:
- Mangos were first grown in India over 5,000 years ago.1
- A mango is viewed as a gift of love in India, and a basket of mangos is seen as a moving gesture of friendship.1
- It is said that Buddha would meditate under the shade of a mango tree.1
- The first attempted introduction of mangos to the U.S. was recorded in 1833 in Florida.1
- Mangos have since flourished in the tropical climates of Florida, California, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.2
- Though there are hundreds of varieties of mango found around the world, only 6 are available commercially.3
- Mangos are available year-round.2
- India harvests nearly half of the world’s mangos.4
- Mangos are pollinated by a variety of insects, including honey bees, as well as wind.5
Mango is often toted as a superfruit, and when you break it down, it is easy to see why! In addition to their tropical flavor, mangos are also a source of over 20 vitamins and minerals. A single serving of mango – amounting to 3/4 cup sliced mango6 – dishes up:
- 70 calories
- 1 g protein
- 0 g sugar
- Daily recommended:
- Vitamin C – 50%
- Vitamin A – 8%
- Vitamin B6 – 8%
- Dietary fiber – 7%
- Folate – 15%
- Copper – 15%
- Carbohydrates – 7%
With all these benefits, it’s no wonder mango is a valuable addition to your diet. And just like our favorite single ingredient honey, mangos are versatile enough to contribute to span your entire menu! Below we’re sharing six of our favorite honey + mango recipes that highlight both ingredients’ ability to elevate dishes at every daypart.
We want to hear from you! What is your favorite way to enjoy mangos? Tell us in the comments.
SOURCES:
1 Mango Facts. National Mango Board. © 2023. https://www.mango.org/mango-facts/
2 Meet a Mango Tree. National Mango Board. © 2023. https://www.mango.org/mango-tree/
3 Mango Varieties & Availability. National Mango Board. © 2023. https://www.mango.org/professionals/industry/varieties-availability/
4 Celebrating National Mango Day. National Mango Board. 14 June 2021. https://www.mango.org/blog-celebrating-national-mango-day/
5 Bally, Ian, and S. E. Bally. In BrIef Mango Tree with Heavy Crop. Photo: I Species Profiles for Pacific Island Agroforestry Www.traditionaltree.org Mangifera Indica (Mango). 2006, gms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/gs/handler/getmedia.ashx?moid=3072&dt=3&g=12.
6 Mango Nutrition. National Mango Board. © 2023. https://www.mango.org/mango-nutrition/
