National Mango Day: Interesting facts about the King of Fruits

It has always been taught to us that Mango is the king of fruit from our childhood and we have been savouring its taste from our early years.

It is a peculiar fruit it grows during the warmest time of the year and provides refreshment to people with its sweet taste that feels like a cool relief from the scorching sun and the unbearable heat.

Although the sales may have suffered this year on account of COVID-19 induced lockdown and the stagnancy in international trade that it had brought it is considered to be a money minting machines for the farmers and varieties like Alphonso are one of the most heavily demanded mangoes around the globe.

Today we celebrate the National Mango Day to appreciate the fruit and the joy it brings.

Here are some interesting facts related to mango:

• The word Mango has originated from the Malayalam word manga which was made famous during the spice trade between Western Europe and the Malabar Coast.

• Historical records show that the fruit originated somewhere between the 5^th and 4^th century BCE in parts of Southeast Asia from where it spread to other areas with similar climate like East Africa, Mexico, Brazil and Bermuda.

• India is the largest producer of the mango with approximately close to 20 million tonnes of the fruit being grown every year accounting for almost half of the world’s total supply.

• India is alone home to atleast 1500 different varieties of mangoes among which the famous are Hapus, Langra, Chausa, Dussehari and Alphonso.

• India exported 46510.27 Metric Tonnes of mangoes every year. The famous exporting destination is the Middle Eastern Countries and the United States of America.

• In 1989 US banned the import of Alphonso mangoes after some pieces were found to be infested with fruit flies and it the ban was upheld for 18 years before it was revoked in 2007.