The power of mangoes

At Equal Food, we repurpose food that would otherwise be wasted due to various imperfections. From our perspective, these imperfections are not obstacles, but rather characteristics like any other, which actually make our food more authentic. This is especially true when we consider that all these imperfections stem from natural processes or processes unrelated to cultivation itself.

Imperfections in food stem from various factors such as incomplete pollination and fertilization, obstacles in the soil, or unexpected temperature variations. Equal Food embraces the results of these circumstances: you may find fruits that are more or less uniformly sized, more or less blemished, with different colors and/or shapes.

Origins

And now get ready to fall in love: we have manga!

We believe that the fruit with the most succulent and sexy reputation in the history of sweet things is the mango (Mangifera indica). This fruit has been a muse for poets and emperors for millennia. Originating in South Asia, with literary influence for over 7,000 years, this sweet and seductive fruit has played an intriguing role in the unification of kingdoms, consolidating trade relations, and inspiring religious and cultural folklore from the empire of Jahangir to that of Alexander the Great.

Just as the apple appears in Christian scriptures, the mango also appears in Hindu and Buddhist texts. However, the ancient fruit claims a more passionate flame, symbolizing love, envy, fertility, and pleasure.

It is said that Buddha rested in the shade of a mango tree, and Buddhist monks carried mangoes with them to give as gifts on their travels. Another myth tells of a goddess born from a fallen mango who seduced a king. Envious, the king's original wife burned the new queen, only to witness a new mango tree sprouting from the ashes and repeating the cycle of seduction again.

There's even a whole genre of Indian fiction dubbed "sari and manga," where, according to Randy Boyagoda of The New York Times, they appear as objects of sensuality. It's no wonder she's also known as the "Queen of Fruits." The name "manga" wasn't used until Portuguese colonists coined it, but the fruit has remained a powerful symbol of human joy and procreation to this day. Perhaps that's something worth thinking about the next time you want to send a suggestive eggplant or peach emoji!

Even today it continues to steal hearts. "We saw, we ate mangoes, and we left the world," said Kaleem Ullah Khan, known in his native India as "Mango Man." Mr. Khan, now 82, is the fruit's most fervent fan and swears that mango sap can be used to cure almost anything, from impotence to heart disease.

The mango's reputation as a true fruit of passion and pleasure remains strong, so the next time we deliver it to your door, be sure to show it some love, whether by slicing it, cutting it into squares, squeezing it, or peeling and smashing it with your hands while dancing and singing to the sound of Sevana's "Manga" or Mayra Andrade's "Manga"!

And what about our sleeves?

Ours are produced in southern Spain, in Axarquia, a region of Andalusia, near Málaga. It is here that producers from our Equal Food family, like Alejandro, cultivate a large percentage of all mangoes produced in Europe. Did you know that so many mangoes come from our neighboring country?

So, let's look at our Equal Food mangoes. These fruits often have an uneven appearance, lacking a perfect shape or uniform color, but that doesn't mean they aren't 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 various 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.

Vitamins A, B, C, E, and K are involved in the production of white blood cells, essential for the body's defense. Vitamin C also has antioxidant properties that help fight free radicals and diseases associated with them. If you want to know more about antioxidant properties, there's a fruit in our baskets full of antioxidant superpowers: the blueberry , to which we've dedicated an entire article on our website !

Mangoes also improve eye health, with their dose of vitamin A preventing various eye problems. Vitamin C also improves skin aging by increasing collagen production, important in combating wrinkles and sagging, and vitamin A protects against the effects of sun rays on our skin.

Furthermore, the properties of mango, namely its soluble fiber, are essential in combating bad cholesterol and triglycerides, which are responsible for the formation of fat in the arteries.

The soluble fiber in mangoes also helps improve the functioning of the digestive system, as it contributes to water absorption during digestion, and is accompanied by mangiferin, a natural laxative that improves intestinal function.

Just like us: a scar here, a blemish there, or missing hair over there. It's the difference that makes us more real. At Equal Food, the same logic applies: different on the outside, but delicious on the inside. With us, imperfections contribute to a more sustainable planet with less waste. Nothing is sexier than contributing to collective change.