I can remember my reaction when I first heard that the mango is considered the most popular fruit in the world. It was something along the lines of, “Really?”I guess I found it a little unbelievable because in the US we tend to get caught up in our apples, oranges and bananas.
However, when you look at fruit from a world view and realize how huge production and consumption of the mango are, it is not surprising at all that this sweet, orange fruit comes in at number one.
The mango is native to southern Asia, specifically to parts of India. Now it can be found growing in numerous areas of the world which have a warm climate including Thailand, Brazil, Mexico, Philippines and even in Florida and parts of California in the US.
I remember a nutrition course I took in grad school for which I had a TA from India. Our professor was very much a believer in experiencing and understanding the foods of other cultures so at the end of the semester she took the class out to an Indian restaurant. Our TA was able to explain all of the dishes to us and at that dinner I remember her telling us that there were over 500 varieties of mangos in India.
This was something I couldn’t even comprehend. At that time I think apples were the only fruit I knew to have multiple varieties expect for maybe green and red grapes or Florida versus California oranges. Of course, her statement was correct and some sources estimate varieties closer to 1000.
I’ve seen several different kinds of mangos here in Brazil, but have found my favorite to be the Tommy, or more accurately the Tommy Atkins variety. This variety is also one of few that are grown in Florida.
Prior to moving here, on the rare occasion that a mango made its way into my grocery cart, I had no idea what kind I was buying. However at the markets I frequent now, they are clearly labeled. I don’t notice much of a difference in flavor or texture except that the Tommy seems be just a little bit sweeter than others I’ve tried. It is simply the variety that is most often available and affordable where we are living.
So what am I getting at with all of this mango talk?
Well, I’ve decided to declare this Mango Week at Fake Food Free. I’ve got a few recipes I want to share with you. One I developed on my own, one was put together based on an idea from a former classmate and another I’ve recreated from a sandwich I enjoy at a local shop where we are living.
I know that mangos aren’t always readily available for everyone. In fact, at the moment they are a bit difficult to get here and the prices are higher. However, as the temperatures warm up in the northern hemisphere summer and mangos, or mango flavored treats, tend to go hand in hand.
So I hope you’ll come back this week to check out some of my favorite ways to use mangos and on Friday I will be announcing my very first recipe contest with a rare prize that would be hard to come by elsewhere.
I am kicking off the week by sharing my Mango Coconut Oatmeal. Sweetened by the flesh of the mango and flavored with a touch of coconut milk this recipe turns oatmeal, often reserved for cold mornings, into a breakfast perfect for warmer weather.
Mango Coconut Oatmeal 
¼ cup steel cut oats
1 cup water
1 mango, chopped
1 tablespoon coconut milk
1 tablespoon, unsweetened, shredded coconut
1 cup water
1 mango, chopped
1 tablespoon coconut milk
1 tablespoon, unsweetened, shredded coconut
Cook the steel cut oats according to directions and preferences. I let mine soak in the water for about a ½ hour and then on medium heat I slowly bring them to a boil. I reduce the heat and allow them to cook for about 20 minutes. At this point they reach my desired constancy and the oats still have a bit of a bite to them.
About 5 minutes before the oats are fully cooked, add in half of the diced mango. Stir the mango into the oats smashing it into more of a pulp as it is heated. Add in the coconut milk.
Transfer the oats to a serving bowl and top them with the remaining chopped mango and sprinkle with coconut.
HELL FREAKING YES!! I love mangoes 🙂
That oatmeal recipe sounds delicious! I’m kind of a mango snob after having fresh ones in Thailand all the time. I need to pick up a couple anyway…and try your recipe! Thanks for sharing.
Interesting method for oatmeal.
I’d never had mango until college. Definitely a treat. My husband ate fresh mangoes in Taiwan and insists that none of the mangoes in the U.S. taste decent.
I love mangoes – adore them! – but I pretty much just eat them fresh – either straight or in a fruit salad. So, I’m excited to see some recipes with mangoes!
mmmmmmmm I can’t wait for more. I really love Mangos! I wish there was more edible fruit on each mango and less seed!
I can’t wait to see what else you do with them! I love them, but have only had them on their own or in fruit salads…
I’m excited for mango week! I really haven’t had much mango and to be honest, I’m not sure if I’ve even tried a fresh mango but once. (I should fix that!) I went to Puerto Rico this past summer to help out a church down there and the pastor of the church wouldn’t go anywhere without his little cooler of fresh mangos … he LOVED them.
VeggieGirl – So glad I have a fellow fan. 🙂
Candice – Oh, I know what you mean. I have a feeling it is the thing I will miss most about Brazil. I doubt I’ll find anything comparable in the US.
Alison – I feel the same way about pineapples and oranges in Brazil. None in the US can compare.
Cathy – I love them with a little yogurt and honey. Yum!
Erica – I know what you mean. Half the time I feel like I am throwing more away than I’m eating.
Mindy – Hopefully I won’t disappoint! 🙂
lesley – I’d love to see Puerto Rico. I did read that a lot of our mangos in the US come from there.
wow! i didn’t know mangoes were the most popular fruit. i totally would have guessed apple or something. but i can definitely see why after tasting them. i’m allergic to coconut, but i could DEFINITELY see myself enjoying some mango lime oatmeal. sounds yummy 🙂
Mangos are so good. Now combine mangos and goats and you bring back childhood memories. Don’t ask! Yes I am commenting on 2 post in one place. Is that tacky? GREG
I love mangoes, too, but usually can’t find good ones here until late in the summer. Your oatmeal looks delicious!
I love eating mango! One of my favorite fruits 🙂
Here in Indonesia, we have a lot kind of mangoes but can be found during mangoes season.
I absolutely hate cooked oatmeal – but I LOVE LOVE LOVE granola! How weird is that? I also LOVE LOVE LOVE mangoes. So, I said all that to say – pass me a bowl of that oatmeal please! I’d certainly give it a go!
Heather – I think it would be just as tasty without the coconut. I would have guessed apple or banana for sure. 🙂
Sippity Sup – Nope, I got the reference. Thanks for your comment! 🙂
Reeni – Thanks. I find them hard to come by where I live in the States as well. Total bummer. 🙂
Selba – It is my favorite fruit and fruit flavor as well. I just love it!
Darius – It probably has to do with the mushy texture, right? My mom doesn’t like oatmeal either. She does like it when I make steel cut oats for her though. I like to them with lots of texture. The mango might just be good enough to over look the oatmeal though. 🙂
Your quesadilla looks so delicious! What kind of cheese did you use? I’m currently loving goat cheese and want to use it in a quesadilla with caramelized onions – yum!
Maris – I used Queijo Minas Padrão. It is a mild white cheese here in Brazil. It is very similar to a Colby or Jack in the US. That quesadilla sounds great!
Your oatmeal recipe sounds so good I am going to make it ASAP!
Hmmm, I have to put my thinking cap on for the mango recipe contest, the oatmeal looks delicious!
Yum, mangoes are awesome. I really got into eating them when I lived in Australia for awhile – they are so cheap and delicious there!
I actually just made oats with mango in them this morning!