Magnificent Mangoes

My August series on Hawaiian fruit continues today with part 4. If you missed parts 1-3, check all my August 2011 posts.

One of my husband’s favorite fruits is the mango. I love them, too, and when I lived in Hawaii you could find mango trees everywhere. What fun to pick a ripe one right from a tree and eat it.

Did you know there are a ton of varieties of mangoes? Check this link to see a photo (with labels) of different kinds you can find on the big island of Hawaii.

http://www.hawaiifruit.net/mango.jpg

The mango was introduced to Hawaii from Manila in 1824 and from Chile in 1825. Like the guava, the mango is rich in nutrients. But, unlike the guava, the mango is much easier to eat—more meat and only one large seed, not a million tiny ones.

In July this year there was a Hawaiian Mango Festival (held in Miami, Florida) where you could attend workshops and lectures as well as attend mango tasting and watch cooking demonstrations. You could also purchase items including mango trees, and attend a mango brunch. Check out this site for the full list of activities from this year’s festival:

http://www.fairchildgarden.org/Events/?date=2011-07&eventid=501

Florida is a lot closer for people on the east coast or even the mid-west than Hawaii. But I’m closer to the Healing Garden Mango Festival in Kona on Hawaii, also held in July this year.

Hmm . . . maybe I should attend next July—want to join me?

Mahalo for visiting!

Cheryl

www.cheryllinnmartin.com