THEY came, were relished and they conquered. Yes, its mangoes we are talking about that add zest to our dreary, sweaty summers.
The much awaited mango season is here and by now every mango lover must have enjoyed the daily mango ritual by indulging in the delicacy of the ‘King of the Fruits’. Mangoes have been, since time immemorial, given a royal status, and rightfully so. The pleasures of eating a mango have reduced many a kings and noblemen to the slavery of the exotic fruit.
Ghalib, the famous 18th century poet was extremely fond of mangoes and stands testimony to this. Hali, his younger contemporary, who is the source of much biographical information on Ghalib (with quite a few references to mangoes), quotes him as saying, “In some measure I am a slave to my belly, and in some degree I am weak. I seek an adornment for my table and a comfort for my soul; and wise men know that in the mango they may find both these things”. Need I say more?
Evidence suggests that mangoes have been around for almost 4000 years being not only a source of relish but tranquillity and repose in the form of mango groves. We know mangoes as the tropical comfort fruit we so crave for but its historical symbolism is also what it stands, for which is best documented online at www.freshmangoes.com which sheds light on not just the history of mangoes but also some interesting facts and myths concerning it which have been passed on to us over the years. We can take a mango tour and delve into the ‘Health benefits of mangoes’ which come with a nutrient information chart, find out how to ‘Select and store mangoes’ or even learn innovative and fun ways, to eat a mango, complete with illustrations. The site claims to be the world’s largest online mango recipe guide, so for those wanting to use mangoes in more ways than one, there are some great ideas from some of the most prominent chefs from around the world. And if that’s not enough for the connoisseurs of food www.southernfood.about.com/food/southernfood/library/weekly/aa052498.htm presents an array of delectable western deserts and salads made with mangoes. The photographs are all the more mouth watering.
The proud Pakistanis need not fret because www.rayma.com.my/pakistanmangoes/index.html is a web site exclusively dedicated to two varieties of Pakistani mangoes — the famous Chaunsa and Sindhri. An overall review explains the most important commercial varieties of mangoes and the patterns of their growth. Detailed characteristics of Chaunsa and Sindhri such as sugar content, pulp gravity, fibre and flavour help us to ‘Discover Pakistani mangoes’ like never before. Enjoy Pakistani mangoes in a desi way with ‘How to enjoy a Pakistani Chaunsa’ which is a pictorial of a Malaysian woman eating mangoes in a true Pakistani style. Other varieties of Pakistani mangoes can be found out with a detailed description of each at www.hamaramultan. com/mangotypes.asp which claims that there are 450 known varieties of mangoes and the sites lists the famous ones with their history and type.
Mango trees play a sacred role in India and are often believed to be a symbol of love, which explains why mangoes are nowadays sent as gifts to our near and dear ones. In antiquity many South Asian kings and nobles had their own mango groves and private cultivators, hence began the custom of sending gifts of the choicest mangoes. These days ordering and delivery is faster and at competitive prices with www.sentiments4u.com/ main.asp and guess what, we don’t even have to own mango groves!
There was a time when the Internet allowed us to trace our family roots online. Now, even mangoes can do that and of course the royal fruit comes from a ‘kingdom’ having a ‘class’ ‘order’ and ‘family’ which we can sneak into at www.en.wikipedia. org/wiki/mango. It’s a site that lists the scientific classification and the different species of mangoes and for those interested in knowing its statistics, the ‘Description’ gives the average height, span and the size of the seed. It’s a site highly recommended for students and science lovers alike. Added in the table of contents are more ‘methods of eating a mango’, uses of mangoes, mango fruit facts and the different varieties of Pakistani and Indian mangoes that are exported to other countries each year.
Mangoes are a universally craved fruit, popular not only in Pakistan but in all the countries worldwide. People who claim mangoes for them are something to-die-for can join the Official Mango Fanlisting at www.broken-bracelet.net/mango where one can log on to make ‘mango buddies’ around the world. The site gives the break-up of the number of mango fans around the world according to their countries. And guess what? There isn’t anybody from Pakistan! So what are all you mango lovers waiting for? Join the bandwagon! Joining it is fast, easy and fun!
The health conscious and those who take mangoes as health boosters can add more information to their daily health diaries with www.mad4mango.com/mango/aboutmangos.html which claims to be ‘The Mango Association’ and explains the health benefits of the much loved fruit. A nutritional chart for mango can also be obtained at www.wholehealthmd.com/refshelf/foods_view/1,1523,56,00.html and for those on a diet learn how to make a mango fruit salad at www.producepete.com/shows/mangoes.html. These sites also explain the different methods of selecting and storing mangoes for extended use. Its mangoes and more mangoes this summer and eating them can be made more enjoyable by balancing your act between sucking that freshly arrived ripe, juicy mango and browsing through the mango web sites. Lets see how you fare. Happy mango eating!
THEY came, were relished and they conquered. Yes, its mangoes we are talking about that add zest to our dreary, sweaty summers.
