Mangoes are a great nutritional bargain. They have 50% more beta carotene than an equal-size serving of apricots, and 20% more than cantaloupe, enough to provide almost 80% of your vitamin A requirement. They are also high in vitamin C. In addition, they are a good source of potassium. Many Americans still consider mangoes to be an exotic fruit, but in tropical areas, they are as common as apples. Mangoes originated in Southeast Asia about 4,000 years ago, and India is still the major producer, growing more mangoes than all other fruits combined. In the 10th century, Persian sailors are said to have taken the mango to East Africa and, some 600 years later, travelers from Portugal took them to West Africa and South America. By 1775, mangoes had been introduced to Mexico, where they are now an important export crop.
