Chengjiang Mangoes

Chengjiang Mangoes

　　Chengjiang Mangoes

　　Mango is one of the well-known tropical fruits. It is also called Wangguo (Hope Fruit), Mangguo, Mangguo, Mengguo, Miwang, or Anboluo, among other names. The name “Wangguo” means “fruit of hope.” It is an evergreen tree belonging to the genus Mangifera in the family Anacardiaceae. Its leaves are clustered at the top of branches, leathery, and can be long oval or long lanceolate in shape. The plant bears terminal panicles of small, pale yellow flowers, which later develop into drupe fruits.

　　Mango fruits are kidney-shaped. The main varieties include native mangoes and imported ones. Before ripening, native mangoes have green skin, while imported varieties are dark purple. Native mangoes retain their green skin when ripe, whereas imported ones turn orange or red. The flesh of mangoes is juicy and sweet. Native mangoes have large seeds and more fiber, while imported ones are fiber-free.

　　Mangoes have a distinctive resinous aroma and juicy flesh, containing sugars, proteins, and crude fiber. They are particularly high in vitamin A—an uncommon level among all fruits. They also contain a notable amount of vitamin C. Minerals, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates are also among their key nutritional components. Mangoes are highly nutritious and offer health benefits such as anti-cancer properties, skin beautification, prevention of hypertension and arteriosclerosis, relief from constipation, and improved digestion. Besides being eaten fresh, mangoes can be processed into juices, jams, candied slices, preserves, pickled products, and other foods. Additionally, extracts from mango leaves can inhibit pus-forming cocci, E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and also have antiviral effects against influenza. Hence, mangoes are often hailed as the “King of Tropical Fruits.”

　　The size, shape, color, fiber content, and pit size are the main criteria for distinguishing mango varieties. The largest mangoes can weigh several kilograms, while the smallest are about the size of a plum. Shapes vary—round, oval, heart-shaped, kidney-shaped, slender, plump, and more. Skin colors range from green, lime, yellow, to red. Flesh colors include yellow, green, and orange. Flavors can be sour, sweet, mildly sweet, or sweet-and-sour.

　　Hainan Island has a long history of mango cultivation and is one of China’s major mango-producing regions. It boasts a wide variety of cultivars, among which the Ivory Mango, White Jade Mango, Green Skin Mango, Luzon Mango, Egg Mango, Longjing Big Mango, and Autumn Mango are rare on the Chinese mainland.

　　Chengjiang Li Autonomous County in Hainan enjoys superior climatic conditions and fertile land, and is known as the “Hometown of Mangoes.” As early as a thousand years ago, mango cultivation began here. On this ancient land, there are still nearly 3,000 native mango trees that are hundreds of years old. Today, over 20 mango plantations have been established, covering a total area of more than 100,000 mu. Chengjiang is the largest mango-producing county in Hainan in terms of planting area, yield, variety diversity, fruit quality, and reasonable pricing. It has been designated as a “National Premium Mango Base County,” ranking among China’s top three mango-producing counties, and enjoys fame across China and the world. Every year when the mangoes ripen, a grand Mango Festival is held here.