The mango tree, Mangifera Indica, is native to south Asia, by eastern India. It is a member of the Anacardiaceae family and is a distant relative of the pistachio and cashew trees. The plant has been highly honored and exalted in its native land from time immemorial and today is considered one of the most popular fruits in the world. Since the mango seed is too big to be carried by water or wind, historians believe that Persian traders carried mango seeds with them to the Middle East. During the 16th century, the sea-faring Portuguese introduced the mango to Africa, who then took their tasty cargo to Brazil in the 1700s. The popularity of the mango spread north in the Americas through the years. It reached Mexico in the early 19th century, and finally reached the United States in 1860. Today, more and more consumers are discovering the unique, mouth-watering flavor of the nutritious mango, making it an essential part of their shopping lists.
