Recipe: Spicy Mango Salsa

Mango… the taste of Summer!

If you adore mango, then rest assured that when you’re enjoying this sweet juicy natural indulgence, you’re also doing your health a favour. Good news!

Here’s how Chinese Medicine Food Therapy views mango:

• Regenerates the body’s fluids, stops coughs, strengthens digestion, quenches thirst, diuretic
• Nourishes the Blood and strengthens the Qi (life energy)
• Mango controversy! Whereas many fruits are considered cooling in nature (such as watermelon), some are considered warming and nourishing (dates, longan, lychee). Mango defies categorisation, as it seems cooling when taken in regular amounts but can induce heat signs such as skin rashes if taken in excess. Enjoy in moderation and you can gain all the health benefits of this amazing fruit.
• Its flavour profile is sweet and sour

The Western view of mango health benefits:

The humble mango boasts a huge array of health benefits. Here are just some of them:

• anti-inflammatory
• rich in hormone-regulating vitamin E, blood-building iron, and bone-strengthening minerals
• called the “love fruit”, it has purported aphrodesiac qualities
• rich in digestive enzymes, especially magneferin, katechol oxidase, and lactase
• encourages weight loss as it’s high in fibre and boosts metabolism
• benefits cardiovascular health, with positive impact on high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and insulin resistance
• contains lupeol, a triterpene that helps prevent the development of kidney stones
• rich in potassium, vitamin C, vitamin A, beta-carotene, vitamin B6
• rich in prebiotic fibre to nourish the healthy gut flora
• contains several antioxidants (antioxidants protect against free radical damage that may progress to cancer)
• fresh mango juice quickly cools overexposure to heat and relieves mild heat stroke
• mango peel applied to the face for 10 minutes a day can treat acne and brighten the complexion
• mango leaf tea may help regulate insulin levels and help type 2 diabetes

The revered mango

In India, the mango fruit and flowers are an important part of spiritual rituals. It is even said that Buddha meditated under a mango tree.

Mangoes have been cultivated in Burma and India for over 4,000 years and were the basis of the very first variety of chutney.

Distinguished history, enormous health benefits – enjoy the sumptuous mango all Summer!  Here’s a healthy mango recipe to enliven your savoury dishes this Summer…

Spicy mango salsa

1-2 mangoes, diced (Kensington Pride if possible)

1 shallot (green onion)

small handful chopped coriander (use basil if you don’t like coriander)

1/2 red capsicum, finely diced

1 small red or jalapeno chilli, finely diced

lime juice

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and allow flavours to blend for about an hour before serving.

Great with fish, chicken, grilled haloumi or smoked tofu.