MARVELOUS MANGOES

It is MANGO SEASON in Australia and we are enjoying the abundance of this delicious fruit. We love fresh mango with lime, creamy mango yogurt, smooth mango puree on Pavlova, mango salsa, frozen mango in our smoothies, and mango just poked fresh on a fork.  The secret to cutting mangoes took me a few tries, but now we can cut it, score it and eat it straight from the skin.  

The mango has a flat-ish oblong pit in the center of it. Your objective is to cut along the sides of the pit, separating the flesh from the pit. Holding the mango with one hand, stand it on its end, stem side down. Standing up the mango up like this you should be able to imagine the alignment of the flat, oval pit inside of it. With a sharp knife in your other hand, cut from the top of the mango, down one side of the pit. Then repeat with the other side. You should end up with three pieces - two halves, and a middle section that includes the pit.   Take a mango half and use a knife to make lengthwise and crosswise cuts in it, but try not to cut through the peel. 
I have made an interesting discovery since moving to Australia about mangoes after receiving a phone call from one of our missionaries who was experiencing an itchy, red rash that he learned came from picking mangoes.  Who would have ever thought that this delectable fruit would have a dark side?  

Mango Sap

When the stem is removed from the fruit, the mango releases a highly caustic sap, this can burn the fruit and your skin.

We have had a couple missionaries call about this problem, some who have had it more severe than others.  They tell you here in Australia that you can avoid sap burn by using good picking and de-sapping practices:

• Always hold stem end of fruit away from your body.
• When picking mangoes – wear long pants, long sleeved collared shirt, wide brimmed hat, 30+ sunscreen, closed-in shoes, gloves and sunglasses
• When sorting or packing mangoes – wear gloves, closed-in shoes, a long-sleeved shirt and sunscreen.
• If your skin does come into contact with sap, wash with fresh water immediately
• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching eyes, face and going to the toilet

Just thought you should know!