Mango (Mangifera indica), a seasonal fruit stands true to its saying as the ‘King of Fruits’.
Apart from its delicious taste, there are many health benefits of this fruit which compels everyone to call it as the king of fruits.
You can hardly find any people who dislike mango.
It is a lesser known fact to the common man that Mango belongs to the family of cashews and pistachios.
Mango is native to India and its tree was first grown in India approximately around 4000 years ago.
Due to its delicious taste and health benefits, mango, over the years has travelled across the globe from Asia to Middle East, Africa and South America and is one of the popular fruits around the world. Mango is now cultivated in many countries.
Mango is the national fruit of India and has found a coveted place in Indian tradition.
Mango leaves are used in many sacred rituals, festivals, wedding etc.
A basket of mangoes is considered as a gesture of goodwill and friendship.

Mangoes are packed with many nutrients mainly Vitamin A, C, E, K, B6, riboflavin, niacin, folate. They are an excellent source of dietary fibre, are low in saturated fats, sodium and cholesterol.
They are also rich in minerals like potassium, magnesium, copper. They also contain selenium, calcium, iron, and phosphorus.

Due to the power-packed nutrients, mango can serve useful for many health benefits when consumed in moderation.
Mango is beneficial for:

1. Maintaining overall health.
2. Preventing cancer.
3. Curing Anemia.
4. Curing Acne.
5. Delay in Aging.
6. Boosting Immunity.
7. Promotes Eye health.

There are many varieties of mangoes found in India of which the popular ones include:

1. Alphonso
   Alphonso is the best and most popular variety found in India. It is grown in Konkan regions of Maharashtra mainly Devgadh in Ratnagiri, Raigad etc.
   Alphonso from Devgadh is also known internationally for its flavour and is exported to various countries.
2. Badami
   Badami mangoes hail from the state of Karnataka.
3. Chaunsa
   Chaunsa is grown in North India is one of the sweetest varieties there.
4. Dasheri
   Dasheri variety also hails from North India and Uttar Pradesh is the largest producer of the same.
5. Kesar
   Kesar is cultivated in Gujarat and is also called as Gir Kesar.
6. Langra
   Langra is another variety from North India mainly Uttar Pradesh.
7. Neelam
   Neelam variety is grown in South India and is one of the favourite varieties in Hyderabad.
8. Totapuri
   Totapuri mango is found in South India mainly Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Mango can be eaten ripe or raw or can be processed to make many delicious recipes out of it.
Mango has caught the attention of many food manufacturers who have launched various products like Mango Jam, jellies, juices, squashes raw mango pickles etc.

In addition to the above many Indian households also have few more delicious recipes made out of mango which include:

• Muramba (sweet and tangy chutney made out of grated raw mango).
• Aam Panna(juice made by the pulp of boiled raw mangoes).
• Gul Amba(raw mango pieces cooked with jaggery).
• Raw mango salad.

Writing about these recipes and the deliciousness of mangoes has already got my mouth watering and am eagerly awaiting to eat the first mango of the season.

With all the health benefits this fruits bears, we surely can include this fruit in moderation in our daily diet during the mango season.