Mangga

Summer is not complete in the Philippines without mangoes. This is the harvest time of this fruit here as the sun ripens this fruit to perfection. Like the sun, the ripe mangoes in the Philippines shines brightly in our eyes.

How could you not be tempted? Golden, sweet, meaty and ohhh... the smell of it spells... SWEETNESS. 

Dubbed as the NATIONAL FRUIT of the Philippines, I don't wonder why. Every time I pass by a mango stall, I never fail to buy even a half kilo of it. During summer(harvest time) A kilo of mango may vary from the time it started harvest. Price ranges from US$1 to $1.75 and you get a good variety of it.Affordable, sweet and nutritious. What else can you ask for? When I was abroad, I have tasted lots of mango varieties and I always long to have that same sweetness and satisfaction Philippine mangoes have. Proud to say, It is the WORLD's SWEETEST MANGO not because it is a product of my own country but it is declared by the GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORD in 1995 which was found in GUIMARAS a small island in VISAYAS.

We have a lot of varieties of mangoes, one commonly known to us is the the Manggang KALABAW or the chanmpagne mangoes(US name) which is the sweetes of them all. In the province we laso have PAJO,PIKO,and Indian mango.

Mango also has played a vital role in our economy. It is one of the biggest export that we have in terms of fruits next to banana and pineapple. It becomes a part of our cuisine. 

It is used on cakes. One of our famous and we have enjoyed for years is our mango float. It is made of graham crackers, condensed milk, cream and the ripe mangoes. It is what they call Frozen mango cakes nad through out the years, this layering cake has been improved and because of culinary innovation, mango bravo has emerged and a lot of cakes using our very own mangoes.

Not only does it sweeten our cakes. It has also quenched our thirst during summer heat.Here comes mango smoothie and iced candy.

It is also being used on ice cream, yogurt and some other desserts. For those who are following a diet plan... try the mango mixed on your plain yogurt to give it a twist.

Not everyone does it but in Thailand... it is a must try when you visit their country...

It is also being used in salsas and salads...

We have also world class mango products that are being sought after in other countries...

 Not only Filipinos eat pickled mango... though we eat it differently as everyone knows...Indians love pickled mango as well. Sri lankan I know love this as an accompaniment to their curries.

Some other world class Mango products are: mango juice, mango jam. mango chutney(a condiment mostly used by Europeans... "relish" as they call it- it is pickled mango with vinegar and salt and sugar cooked down into reduction- it comes as an accompaniment to their roasts or eaten raw),mango chocolates and dried mangoes.

Now, with all these... it is no wonder it is considered as one of the "Fruit of the Gods."

Be Proud!  We have one of the the gifts of our abundant land that is comparable to none. The WORLD's SWEETEST MANGO come form our very own Homeland!