A Bunch of Raw Mango Fruits

Photo: Raw mango fruits from Brazil

The photo shows a bunch of purple colored raw mangoes in a mango orchard in a commercial mango farm in/near Petrolina in the state of Pernambuco in Brazil. Petrolina is the largest producer of fruits such as mangoes, grapes and guavas in Brazil.

The variety/species of this mango cultivar is unidentified, though the mangoes look like Tommy Atkins.

Though there are many cultivars of mango, the "Indian mango" or the "common mango", Mangifera indica, is the only mango most commonly cultivated in several tropical and subtropical regions of the world.

Though many people in Southeast Asia consider the durian as the "king of fruits" for its large size and strong odor, many others call the mango the "king of fruits" for its taste, color and nutritional value.

Ripe fruits of mangoes are generally sweet, although the taste and texture of the flesh may vary from one cultivar to another. The commonest use of the mango as a food is to consume it uncooked as a fruit when it is ripe.

Unripe mangoes are generally sour, and the best for the preparation of pickles, chutneys, side dishes, or eaten raw with salt and/or chili, or any other ingredient according to individual tastes.

Ripe mango fruit jelly/pulp is used to prepare fruity drinks, mixing with other ingredients such as sugar, milk, etc. They may also be used as a flavoring and major ingredient in ice creams, fruit bars, pies, milkshakes, desserts, jams, juices, etc.

IMPORTANT: If you look carefully at the right hand side of the photo, you can see an Indian peacock hiding among the green grass/small bushes. Enlarge the photo, if needed, or just save it to your computer and look carefully.