Get Fresh with Mangoes

From pop culture to fashion trends to health benefits, we're sharing all the juicy details about mango!

Author:: Rachael Ray Every Day
Publish date:: May 1, 2014

Know Your Mangoes!

There are over 1,500 types of mango, but the Tommy Atkins, a tart-sweet native Florida variety, is the one you'll see in supermarkets nearly year-round. It's delicious raw, and its firm texture means it will keep its shape in baked goods and cooked dishes.

Winner, Winner

Here's how to pick a winning mango:

A ripe mango: will give slightly when pressed; some varieties will be fragrant near the stem end.

If your mango is hard: try storing it at room temperature in a paper bag with an apple, which emits ethylene gas that helps the fruit ripen.

Ripe mangoes: will stay fresh in the fridge for up to five days, or peel and dice them and freeze in a resealable plastic bag for up to six months.

Sour Power

There's nothing like a ripe, juicy mango; but tart, crisp unripe ones are delicious in slaws and salads.

Mango-Radish Coleslaw

Edible Arrangement

Insert a pointy wooden skewer into the stem end of a just-rip mango, gently twisting the sharp end of the skewer into the pit. Remove the skin with a vegetable peeler. Starting at the bottom of the mango and working your way towards the top, cut 1/3-inch-thick "petals" on an angle around the fruit, being careful not to cut all the way through. Season with chili powder, lime juice and salt.

Tropical Shrimp Cocktail

Mix some mango, chopped cooked shrimp, cubed avocado, red onion, cilantro and sliced jalapeno with lime juice and salt. Serve with tortilla chips.

Sweet & Sour Chicken

Stir-fry chicken with cubed mango, ginger, garlic, red bell peppers, scallions and sweet-and-sour sauce. Serve over rice.

Mango Lassi

Blend sliced mango with milk, plain yogurt and a little honey. Serve in a tall glass with a mango or lime slice as a garnish.

Shake It!

Attention smoothie lovers: A 2007 study showed that milk, when combined with mango, significantly increased the body's ability to access the fruit's beta-carotene, a compound that promotes healthy skin and eyes. Blend on!