Mango Season in Jamaica

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It is that time of year again, Mango season. In Jamaica, mangoes are very popular and the Mango season is one that is regarded second to maybe only Christmas. Everyone has their favorite types of mangoes and their least favorite. 

The types range from Common or stringy mangoes, which are the cheapest and most available types, to the East Indian(pictured above) and Julie mangoes, which are less available and more expensive. The Mango season generally lasts from March to July each year.

Here is a folk song taught to me as a child that shows the significance of the Mango season in Jamaica. 

Mango Time  

Mi nuh drink coffee tea mango time (I don't drink coffee during Mango Time)

Care how nice it may be mango time (I don't care how nice it is Mango Time)

At the height of the mango crop

When di fruit dem a ripe a drop (When the Fruits ripen and fall off the tree)

Wash your pot turn dem down mango time

Mek wi go mango walk, mango time (Let's go to the Mango walk, Mango time)

For is only di talk mango time (Because it's all the talk, Mango time) - It's a really big deal.

Mek wi jump pon di big jackass (Let's jump on the big Jackass (donkey)

Ride him dung and no tap a pass (Ride him down and don't stop no matter what)

Mek di best a di crop, mango time (Let's make the best of this crop, Mango time)

This song is an ode to mango season and is simply speaking about the fact that the only thing on the menu during Mango Time is mangoes. 

I remember as a child my older sister and I would get up early in the mornings and pick up buckets of Common mangoes as a competition to see who could get more mangoes. We would also sit on the back porch and listen for mangoes to fall off the tree and race to see who could find it first. 

Even if you do not have mango trees of your own, relatives from the rural areas will bring mangoes as gifts when visiting.

Nutrition in Mango Time 

It is the norm for Jamaicans to simply take a container and select as many mangoes that can hold in it and consume them all in one go. For some, there is no other way to consume mangoes. Many persons see nothing wrong with this as they know that mangoes are fruits and this is the easiest and most fun way to consume their fruits.

However, mangoes are high in sugar much like other fruits. Consuming a large number of mangoes at once will result in a spike in blood sugar, which is dangerous for persons with diabetes. This also will contribute to weight gain.

Remember we are recommended 2-4 servings of fruit per day, so no matter how enthusiastic we are about Mango Time we still have to be able  to use moderation or else this will be our undoing.'

According to Mango.Org, the Nutrients found in Mangos are as follows: 

• A mango serving size is equivalent to 3/4 cup of sliced mangos and is just 70 calories, so it’s a satisfyingly sweet treat.
• There are 202 calories in 1 whole mango (without refuse and 336g).
• Each serving of mango is fat-free, sodium-free, and cholesterol-free.
• Mangos contain over 20 different vitamins and minerals, helping to make them a superfood.
• 3/4 cup of mango provides 50% of your daily vitamin C, 8% of your daily Vitamin A, and 8% of your daily vitamin B6. These nutrients in mango may help support your body’s immune system. Learn more.
• One serving (3/4 cup) of mango contains 7% of your daily fiber. It’s a delicious and fun way to get some fiber in your diet.
• 3/4 cup of mango is also a good source of folate, making up 15% of your daily requirement and also of copper, making up 15% of your daily needs.
• There are 19g of carbohydrates in a 3/4 cup serving of mango, making up 7% of your daily value. Give your body a delicious and super fun super fruit!

Nutritional Value of Mango. Photo courtesy of Mango.org