Seasonal mangoes- fresh n’ tasty

Seasonal mangoes- fresh n’ tasty

SHILPA S.R.

 Another golden mango season has arrived at Kanakakkunnu. Organized by the State Horticulture Mission, the Mango Fest will display the best mango varieties grown across the country. This ten-day affair will begin from on May 18.

 Not just the mangoes the different mango-dishes also would tickle the taste buds of the visitors. Keralites have always had  a special love for mangoes, the most significant seasonal fruit of the state. There are different varieties of mangoes - Malgova, Kilichundan, Kottukkonam Moovandan and the list is pretty long.

 “This king of the fruits is nutritionally rich and has unique flavor, fragrance, taste, and health promoting qualities. These qualities make it a common ingredient in new functional foods often called “super fruits”. Mango is one of the delicious tropical seasonal fruits and believed to have originated in the sub-Himalayan plains of Indian subcontinent. In fact, it is the national fruit of India, Pakistan and Philippines.

 Most of the mangoes that we get in the market now are artificially ripened. They may seem yellowish and delicious on the outside but are not that tasty or sweet. Ethylene Oxide, a chemical popularly used by doctors for sterilizing surgical instruments is often used as a ripening agent. This improves the 'color' and hastens the ripened look of the mangoes; tbut makes them toxic. The organic mangoes may not seem so attractive but are really delicious and has the perfect sweet taste and aroma. The Chemically treated mangoes are sold at higher price as the buyers are attracted by their perfect exterior.

 This year Mango Fest-2012 is expected to be a big success. This year there has been a bumper yield of mangoes nationwide which will contribute to the enthusiastic participation of the mango growers. Very soon  Kanakakkunnu palace compound  will be filled with the aroma of fresh ripened mangoes lending sweetness to  the capital city.