What is Honey Mango? How Much Do Honey Mangoes Cost?
If you have a sweet tooth like mine, mangoes are one of your favorite foods. Since they come in various colors and flavors, you likely have already tried a few of them. However, have you ever tasted honey mango? Do you think the name sounds unique? If you are interested in knowing more, this article is for you.
Scientific name and other common names of “Honey Mango”:
The scientific name of honey mango is Mangifera ‘Ataúlfo’. In various countries, especially in Mexico, it is known as Ataulfo mango. The gringo pronunciation of this word, ataulfo (a-tool-fo), is widely accepted worldwide. The more refined accent, commonly used in Mexico and Latin America, is ataulfo (a-ta-ool-fo).
Because of the difficulties in pronouncing “Ataulfo,” this unique mango is often called “baby,” “champagne,” “yellow,” and, most commonly, “honey” mango by ordinary people. It is also referred to as the “Miracle Mango” because it frequently bears fruit twice a year, first in the summer and then again in the winter.
Country of origin:
Honey mango originated in Mexico by the grower. It was founded in Chiapas, Mexico, in the year of 1966. The Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (Instituto Mexicano de la Propiedad Industrial) awarded the government of Chiapas the right to claim these mangoes as a fruit that originated in Mexico. Since it is believed that they were unique from other mangoes grown in the country. Among Mexicans, it is commonly acquainted as Ataulfo mango.
The Ataulfo Mango received its name in a very conventional manner: it was given in honor of the Mexican landowner Ataulfo Morales Gordillo. As the area where the mango was initially found belonged to him. Back then, Ataulfo was a semi-common name for older Mexican generations. Soon after the mango was found, it exploded throughout Southern Mexico.
Some people believe that this mango originated in India and has grown in Asia for over 4,000 years. In addition to this, it is also locally farmed in Ecuador, Florida, and California.
When are honey mangoes in season?
Summertime is the available season for honey mangoes. Typically, the season of this mango begins in March. These mangoes are available starting in late February, experiencing their peak season from March to mid-July, and then being available from late July through the end of December.
The fruit can only grow in monsoon regions where the temperature does not fall below 5 °C, and the climate is warm and humid with summer rains. With rainfall ranging from 1090 to 3000 mm per year, from April to October, 28 °C is the ideal temperature for this variety of mango.
Description:
Shape and Colors:
The honey mangoes are small, finely shaped golden oblongs about half as big as regular mangoes. These mangoes have a maximum weight of one pound. While smaller than most mangoes, they contain a relatively thin seed, which means more soft, juicy flesh.
When young, they have skin that is a pale shade of yellowish green, and as they become older, their skin turns a dazzling shade of golden apricot. Once fully ripe, their skin will be bright yellow and slightly wrinkled.
Texture and flavors:
In short, rich sweet flavor! Sounds yummy, right?
Honey mangoes have firm flesh that is creamy and velvety smooth. They have a powerful aroma. It is deep yellow in color. The thing which makes it more famous is its butter-soft, non-fibrous texture, which makes it perfect for mixing into smoothies, lassis, and sorbets.
Despite typically being smaller than other mango varieties, it makes up for this with an extremely sweet and rich honey flavor.
How do you know whether a honey mango is ripe or not?
When your honey mango is ripe, you can tell it right away.
To determine the ripeness of a honey mango, firstly, you must pick one that feels heavy for its size. You have to take a look at the color. If your mango is green in color and feels like a rock when you gently squeeze it, then it is not ready yet. It’s ripe when its Skin turns to a deep golden color.
Then give the mango a gentle squeeze. When fully ripe, a mango will have begun to wrinkle, which separates it from other mangoes.
Holding the stem end up to your nose is another option. It ought to have a fruity, pleasant aroma that is unmistakably mango-like.
What is the shelf life of honey mango?
Raw honey mangoes may be preserved readily at room temperature. If the temperature stays, the same, honey mangoes will take about a week to ripen. Ripe mangoes will keep for 2-3 days.
But in the refrigerator, whole ripe mangos can be kept for up to a week. Mangoes can be peeled, cubed, and stored for several days or even up to six months in a freezer or refrigerator in an airtight container.
Related Link: What is Rainbow Mango?
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Nutritional facts:
Honey mangoes are a great source of nutritional fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They are especially rich in vitamin A. 100 g of honey mangos provide 15% of the recommended daily intake (RDI) of vitamin C and about 25% of the recommended daily consumption of vitamin A, respectively. Additionally, it is a good source of vitamin K and vitamin A.
100 gm honey mangoes also contain 37.5% calcium of the RDI. Besides, among other nutrients, they are rich in folate, potassium, manganese, magnesium, and copper. By the way, do you know what folate is? It goes by the name vitamin B9, which is a natural version of vitamin B.
The calories and the number of carbohydrates in honey mangoes are significant. 100 gm of honey mangoes contains 325 kcal and 80gm carbohydrates.
Mangoes are a very nutritious fruit but also extremely high in sugar. However, it should be consumed in moderation
Health Benefits:
- An incredibly effective “super antioxidant” common in honey mangoes by the name of mangiferin may be able to shield your heart from oxidative damage and decrease cholesterol.
- This mango contains vitamins A and C, which can help your body create more white blood cells and fight infections, boosting your immune system.
- The presence of a class of enzymes called amylases that aid in breaking big carbohydrates into smaller sugar molecules also helps in good digestion.
- Honey mango also contains some other antioxidants, which may prevent the spread of cancer cells or even kill them and aid prevent blindness.
- These mangoes also enhance the health of Hair and Skin.
Applications:
Both raw (mature) and ripe honey mangoes can be consumed. They are peeled, the flesh is separated from the thin stone, and they are sliced while still green to be eaten with dipping sauces. Pickles and preserves can also be made from green Honey mangoes.
Honey mangoes are frequently consumed unprocessed when they are fully ripe, which occurs approximately a week after picking. These mangoes are pureed, dried, candied, and juiced when made into desserts. To your knowledge, the honey mango with sticky rice dish Khao Niaow Ma Muang is a typical Thai dessert. The mangoes are sliced and placed over the rice, then covered in a coconut cream sauce.
Price of Honey Mango:
The honey mango is the market’s most popular item for sweet mangoes. But the price of honey mangoes has been steadily increasing at about 10% per year. Though this trend has been slowed down because of the enhanced marketing techniques available, the increasing demand has forced prices to rise. The cost of 1 kg honey mango currently starts from 0.50$-1$ per kg, though it varies from country to country.
To summarize, honey mango is undoubtedly one of the favorite mangoes among mango lovers. Its awe-structuring yellowish color, saliva-dripping taste, and nutritional benefits keep it standing out from other mango varieties. Though there are many arguments regarding its origin, it has become a fruit of everyone’s heart. Funnily speaking, it is also the celebrity mango among the mango varieties. When making a TVC about Mango juice, it will always be the first choice. You will see movie stars having it with utmost pleasure on the TVC. Therefore, if you never taste a honey mango, go get one, taste it and let us know in the comment section how it tastes.
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