Mango Tree (Mangifera indica, Anacardiaceae)

The Mango Tree

A large evergreen tree, related to the cashew family (Anacardiaceae), native to tropical Asia. This species is widely cultivated in many tropical regions for its delicious fruit and often called the apple of the tropics. Mango trees vary in height but may grow up to 100 feet and have widespread branches. Mango Trees have long life spans, some trees have been known to be over 300 years old. The lance-shaped leaves are dark green, but reddish when young, it has a leathery texture and may be over 1 feet long. The tiny yellowish-brownish flowers are borne in terminal clusters. These flowers can be in the thousands per tree. Green fruits eventually develop and take different shapes: oval, kidney and even round. mangoes also vary in color: green, yellow to red. Depending on the cultivar, sizes vary from 2 1/2 inches to 9 inches and may weigh up to 2 kilograms. The fruit of the mango tree has thick, waxy smooth skin while the flesh of the fruit has a peach-like texture, which is rich, flavorful, juicy and sweet when ripe.

Mango trees may be propagated from seed but the named varieties are usually propagated by budding or grafting. Mango trees do well in almost any kind of soil, but newly planted trees do best if the soil has been enriched with fertilizer, compost or even manure. Mango fruits mature at about 4 to 5 months from the time flowering starts and when the fruits are ready to be picked, the stem snap easily. If the stem does not snap, its not ready for picking.

Yields from a mango tree varies on the cultivar and the age of the tree. A ten year old mango tree can yield 200 to 300 mangoes while a 40 year old mango tree can yield 600 fruits. As a rule, the older the mango tree, the more fruits it bears in a season. Mango trees also have the tendency to alternate its fruit bearing. One side of the mango tree may bear fruits one season and while the other half of the tree bears fruit on the nest. Sometimes, the whole mango tree bears fruit this season and skips the next season.

Philippine Carabao Mangoes

Philippine mango (the national fruit) is known worldwide as the best tasting variety of Carabao mangoes in the world. Philippine mangoes have a distinct rich taste, no turpentine taste, not fibrous and high nutritional value compared to other cultivars. Philippine Carabao mangoes are available year-round but the best tasting fruits are those picked during the summer months. Filipinos who have grew up in the Philippines and now have migrated to the U.S., miss the delicious Philippine Carabao mangoes when faced with bland tasting mangos imported from Mexico. "Philippine mangoes" sold in the U.S. are from Mexico while "real" produce from the Philippines are marketed as "Manila Super Mangoes". Mexico is the world's top exporter of fresh mangoes cornering approximately 40% share of mango exports while India is the world's top producer of mangoes producing more than half of the world's mango output. The United States is the world's biggest importer of fresh mangoes.

Philippine Mango Industry:

The Philippines produces about 1 million metric tons of mangoes a year (3.5% of the world production) - 95% for local consumption & 5% for export -it generates about US$35 million annually for the country. In Asia, the Philippines is the largest exporter of mangoes. Hong Kong and Japan are the biggest importers of mangoes in Asia. Next to bananas and pineapples, mangoes are the Philippines' most important agricultural produce in terms of export earnings.

Products Made from Mangos:

Dried mangoes, mango juice concentrates, puree, mango juice, frozen mangoes, mango in brine, mango glaze and mango preserves. http://www.philippineherbalmedicine.org/mango.htm