The imperfections of the sleeves
At Equal Food we (re)use food that would otherwise be wasted due to its various imperfections. These imperfections are not obstacles in our view, but rather characteristics like any other, which, in fact, make our food more authentic. Even more so when we consider that all these imperfections come from natural processes or processes outside the cultivation process itself.
Imperfections in food come from different and varied factors such as incomplete pollination and fertilization, obstacles in the soil, or unexpected temperature variations. The results of these circumstances are embraced at Equal Food: you can find fruits that are more or less calibrated, more or less scratched, with different colors and/or shapes.
Origins
And now get ready to fall in love: we have sleeves!
We believe the fruit with the juiciest and sexiest reputation in the history of sweet things is the mango (Mangifera indica). This fruit has been a muse for poets and emperors for millennia. Originally from South Asia and having influenced literature for over 7,000 years, this sweet and seductive fruit has played an intriguing role in unifying kingdoms, cementing trade relations and inspiring religious and cultural folklore from the empire of Jahangir to that of Alexander the Great.
Like the apple in Christian scriptures, the mango appears in Hindu and Buddhist texts. However, the ancient fruit claims a more passionate flame with the fruit symbolizing love, envy, fertility and pleasure.
It is said that Buddha rested in the shade of a mango tree and Buddhist monks would carry mangoes with them to offer as gifts on their travels. Another myth tells of a goddess born from a fallen mango tree who seduced a king. Out of jealousy, the king's original wife burned the new queen only to witness a new mango tree sprout from the ashes and repeat the cycle of seduction all over again.
There is even a whole genre of Indian fiction called “sari and mango,” where, according to Randy Boyagoda of The New York Times, the same fruits appear as objects of sensuality. No wonder it is also known as the “Queen of Fruits.” The name “mango” wasn’t used until Portuguese colonists coined it, but the fruit has remained a powerful symbol of human joy and procreation to this day. Maybe that’s something to think about next time you want to send a suggestive eggplant or peach emoji!
It continues to steal hearts today. “We come, we eat mangoes, and we leave the world,” said Kaleem Ullah Khan, known in his native India as the “Mango Man.” Mr. Khan, now 82, is the fruit’s most ardent fan and swears that the sap of the mango tree can be used to cure everything from impotence to heart disease.
The mango’s reputation as a true fruit of passion and pleasure continues to stand strong, so the next time we deliver it to your door, be sure to show it some love, whether that’s by slicing it, cutting it into squares, squeezing it, or peeling and squishing it with your hands while dancing and singing along to Sevana’s “Manga” or Mayra Andrade’s “Manga”!
And our sleeves?
Ours are produced in the south of Spain, in Axarquia, a region in Andalusia, near Malaga. This is where our Equal Food family of growers, like Alejandro, grow a large percentage of all the mangos produced in Europe. Did you know that so many mangos come from our neighbouring country?
Let’s take a look at our Equal Food mangoes. These fruits often have a misaligned appearance, without a perfect shape or uniform color, but this does not mean that these pieces of fruit are not still an excellent and tasty option in our diet.
But what makes mangoes such a special food?
Mangoes are rich in nutrients that are very important for our bodies. They contain vitamins A and C, magnesium, potassium and fiber. This food is very versatile and even its peel can be eaten.
Among its different benefits, it can be a fruit that helps control diabetes, since some of its properties can stimulate insulin production and reduce blood sugar levels, preventing diabetes.
Its vitamins A, B, C, E and K are involved in the production of white blood cells, which are essential for the body's defense. Vitamin C also has an antioxidant effect that helps fight free radicals and diseases associated with them. If you want to know more about antioxidant effects, there is a fruit in our baskets that is full of antioxidant superpowers: the blueberry , to which we have dedicated an entire article on our website !
Mangoes also improve eye health, with their dose of vitamin A that prevents various eye problems. Vitamin C also improves skin aging, increasing collagen production, which is important in combating wrinkles and sagging, and vitamin A protects against the effects of the sun's rays on our skin.
Furthermore, the properties of mango, namely its soluble fibers, are essential in combating bad cholesterol and triglycerides, responsible for the formation of fat in the arteries.
The soluble fibers in mango also help improve the functioning of the digestive system, as they contribute to the absorption of water during digestion, and are accompanied by mangiferin, a natural laxative that improves intestinal function.
