Did you know that mangos are considered the most popular fruit in the world? As the summer kicks off with barbeques and beach days, June marks National Mango Month! There is no better time than a hot summer’s day to enjoy the scrumptious, tropical flavor of a mango! The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults consume 7-13 servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Sometimes it can be tough to get in all of those fruits and veggies each day, so varying your routine with different produce can keep it from becoming boring! The mango is a sweet treat that won’t leave you feeling guilty. Each mango contains over 20 different vitamins and minerals and is low in calories clocking in at only 100 calories per cup!Mangos can seem intimidating, if you are new to the fruit. It takes some practice to master how to select a mango from the store and how to cut a mango. First off it is important to never judge a mango by its color…red does not always mean ripe! The best way to know if a mango is ripe is to squeeze it gently. A ripe mango will ‘give’ slightly and a firm mango will ripen at room temperature over a few days. If you would like to speed up the ripening process, you can place a mango in a paper bag at room temperature and if you would like to slow down the ripening, you can move the mango to your fridge for a few days. When you are ready to enjoy the mango, try cutting it like the above picture for ease. You can learn how by watching the video here: How to Cut a Mango.There are a variety of different mangos throughout the world and most of the mangos in the U.S. are one of six varieties. Mangos can be enjoyed in so many different ways. They can be eaten by themselves, added to numerous recipes, or even used in a marinade due to their tenderizing properties! Try out one of the mango recipes below this summer or share your favorite recipe with us on Facebook&Twitter!- Mango Chiles Rellenos Al Carbon– Mango and Watermelon Salad– Peanut Butter, Mango and Honey Roll Ups– Mango and Black Bean Salsa– Mango and Banana Smoothie– Mango Yogurt and Granola Bowl
