Whether it’s Alphonso or Ratnagiri, mango is the flavour of the season and it’s time to celebrate the sought after summer fruit. Rhea Dhanbhoora & Gargi Bansod tell you everything you need to know about mangoes and bring you some great deals on the King of Fruits
Mangoes are back in season and it’s time to dig into the fleshy fruit. Eaten raw, ripe, over-ripe or blended into a milkshake, Mumbai can’t get enough of mangoes come May. And now that the season is upon us again, everyone’s going mango crazy! Here are a few places where you can catch mango madness, some great ways can benefit you and a few things you never would have guessed about the subtle but much loved mango.
Mango deals
Check these places out for great desserts, deals and mango inspired food delicacies:
Mango Bliss At Saptami
Get ready to celebrate the arrival of the king of fruits with Mango Bliss, a tent card menu prepared at Saptami, the multi-cuisine restaurant at Holiday Inn. Items on the menu include Fresh Mango with Cream/Ice cream (fresh mangoes in chunks with heavy Cream or vanilla ice cream), Mango Mint Tart, Mango Brule (mix of cream and eggs baked to perfection and presented chilled), Mango Kulfi, Mango Cheesecake, Mango Lassi, Fresh Mango juice, Fresh Mango Milkshake and lots more.
When Up to May 31 from 12.30 - 3.30 pm and 8 -11pm
Where Saptami, Holiday Inn Mumbai International Airport, Sakinaka Junction, Andheri (E)
Contact 40851800
Mangolicious Summer At Taj Lands End
For some exquisite mango treats, you should think about heading down to Taj Lands End. The hotel is organising a special high tea where you can beat the heat with a range of mouthwatering mango specials. Surround yourself with culinary delights from their mango specials. There’s also a mango menu that includes macaroons, sorbets, tarts and cakes. That’s a summer afternoon that will really cool you down.
When Ongoing
Where Taj Lands End, Bandra (W)
Contact 66681234
Mango Season At Trikaya
There’s no better way to start off the season of mangoes than a trip to the Pan-Asian restaurant, Trikaya. There are new desserts with mango flavours, including Indonesian/Filipino Sweet Mango Sticky Rice with juicy mango and rice soaked together in a mouth-watering mixture of coconut milk. The sweet treat looks destined to become the flavour of the month and we’re sure you’re not going to get enough of it.
When Ongoing
Where 6/11 Meera Apartments Juhu Versova Link Road, Seven Bungalows, Andheri (W)
Contact 65047177
Mangoes Of India At The Taj Mahal Palace
At Taj Mahal Palace’s award winning restaurants, Shamiana, Sea Lounge and Masala Kraft, get ready to taste some delicious mangoes in a variety of avatars. With international and Indian desserts and fresh cut mangoes served with creamy ice cream, you can have your mango and eat it too — in whatever form you wish to. For the more experimental, there’s Baked Mango Yoghurt, Mango & Chocolate Mille Feuille, Mango Tiramisu and Mango Coconut Pyramids. For those craving something familiar, a simple Mango Kulfi or Duet of Mango Sorbet will do nicely. Go traditional with the Aamras Puri or Aamrakhand Puri, Mango Rabdi or Mango Phirni. And, you can finish off with a delicious Mango Lassi. Head down for some great summer flavours.
When Ongoing
Where The Taj Mahal Palace
Contact 66653366
The Mango Festival at Khandani Rajdhani
The Times Food Award winning vegetarian restaurant, Khandani Rajdhani, has an ongoing mango festival across outlets. At the mango festival, you can choose from an interesting blend of dishes which includes special recipes such as Keri Khanda Samosa, Mango Dal Dhokli, Aam Ki Lunji, Mango Lassi and an array of desserts such as Mango Rasamalai, Mango Shrikhand and the much awaited Aamras. So, head there and relish the tempting mango dishes and delicacies in the two month long festival.
When Up to June 15 from 12 noon — 3.30pm and 7.30pm — 11pm
Where High Street Phoenix, Lower Parel; R City Mall, Ghatkopar (W); Nirmal Lifestyle, Mulund (W); Phoenix Market City, Kurla (W); Vaishali Shopping Centre, Vile Parle (W)
Summer cool cakes at Monginis
If your friends and relatives love mangoes and have birthdays coming up soon, you can treat them to a special mango flavoured cake from Monginis. Their summer cakes come in some fruity flavours such as Mango Kesar, Peach & Apricot, Fig & Honey and Grape & Orange all topped with fresh fruits and a vibrant coloured icing. For the perfect mango delight, you must try their Mango Kesar cake which is layered with mango flavoured fresh cream and decorated with kesar glaze and chocolate garnish. You can order these cakes starting from `750 for 1.5 kg.
Where Available across all Monginis outlets in the city or to buy a cake online you can log on to www.monginis.net
Home delivered mangoes
If you are confused as to how to choose and purchase mangoes at the local market or are just a tad bit too lazy to head down to shop for the fruit, DeliveryChef has made it all easy for you. They have started a service where you can order mangoes which will be delivered at your doorstep, at whatever time you want. With a minimum order of two dozen mangoes, you can be sure that the mangoes are fresh and ready to eat when you receive them. You can choose from various types of mangoes such as Alphonso (`790), Keshar Mango (`230), Badami Mango (`95), Laul Baug Mangoes (`90) and Totapuri Mangoes (`65).
Contact www.deliverychef.in
Mango Dhamal at Meluha the Fern
Another Mango Festival has been laid out for you to fulfill all your mango cravings. The mango festival at Meluha is hosting a Mango Dhamal and you will get to taste delicacies at their Tiara Restaurant. You will be treated with innovative dishes such as Haa-Phoos (Fresh Mango Served with Vanilla Ice Cream), Mango Pistachio Parfait with Strawberry Pepper Coulis, Mango Basil Melli Feulli with Mango Chili Sorbet, Mango Chocolate Mud Cake with Strawberry Compote, Caramelized Mango Tatin with Mango Ice Cream, Fresh Mango Milk Shake, Mango Lassi and Aamras. We’re sure you’re going to have a hard time choosing!
When Up to May 13 from 10am to 11.30pm
Where Tiara Restaurant, Meluha The Fern, Central Avenue, Hiranandani Gardens, Powai
Contact 25755555/ 966446540
HOW TO BUY MANGOES
Usually mangoes are picked up from the trees and shipped to the stores while they are still somewhat green. So, when you go to the market here’s what you must look out for:
- When buying mangoes, it is advisable to look for those with flesh that yields slightly when you press gently and the skin of the fruit is preferably orangish or reddish. If the skin is completely green, the fruit may not ripen. Similarly, a fruit past its prime will have shriveled skin. Large dark spots on the skin means that the flesh is bruised.
- A flowery fragrance indicates that the mango is ripe and flavourful. If you place an unripe mango in a paper bag in a cool location, it will ripen in two to three days. Ripe mangoes should be eaten as soon as possible.
A Mango a day…
They might be a bit heaty if you eat too many, but mangoes are really good for you and have several different uses even if you’re not eating them! Here are a few more reasons to go mango crazy this summer:
- They are an excellent source of several vitamins including A and C.
- They contain beta carotene and are a good source of potassium.
- They are high in fiber but low in fat and calories, so you won’t pile on the pounds.
- The sodium content is not high.
- To add natural sweetness to your rice, you can add a little mango pulp to it while cooking.
- Mango makes a great face mask to rejuvenate dull skin. All you need to do is puree it with almonds and oatmeal and keep it on your face for around 15 minutes.
FUN FACTS
Did you know that mango is known as the ‘King of Fruits’ throughout the world? Well, if you knew that, here are some more interesting facts about the yellow king:
- Mangoes are distantly related to a few plants that you’d probably never guess: the cashew and pistachio.
- The name ‘mango’ is derived from the Tamil word ‘mangkay’ or ‘man-gay’. When the Portuguese traders settled in Western India they adopted the name as ‘manga’.
- The mango tree plays a sacred role in India; it is a symbol of love and some believe that the Mango tree can grant wishes.
- There are over 400 varieties of mangoes throughout the world.
- A mango tree can grow as tall as 100ft.
- According to Indian folklore, Buddha was given a mango orchard by a follower so that he could rest in its cool shade. Many believe that Buddha meditated under a mango tree.
- Some mango trees live and continue to produce fruits for over 300 years.
- Nearly half the world’s mangoes are cultivated in India.