Mango

Mango is the national fruit of India, where it is known as the 'King of Fruits'. Not only is it one of the most highly prized fruits of South Asia, it is also intimately connected with folklore and legends across many religions.
Botanical painting of mango fruits hanging from a branch.
A thousand varieties
There may be more than a thousand local varieties of mango in South Asia. They vary in shape and flavour.
An unusual dye
In 18th and 19th century South Asia, the dye 'Indian Yellow' was obtained from the urine of cows that were fed on mango leaves. Its production was banned in 1908 as it was considered cruel to animals - mango leaves alone are not a satisfactory diet for cows!
Good luck
Mango trees, fruits and leaves are associated with fortune, plenty and fertility in South Asian folklore. They are represented in religious themes across South Asia, whether Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim or Christian.
What's in a name?
The name mango is derived from the South Indian Malayalam word 'manga', which the Portuguese adopted as 'manga'.