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Distributed for Reaktion Books

Mango

A Global History

From smoothies to folklore, a global history of the many incarnations of the mango.
 
This beautifully illustrated book takes us on a tour through the rich world of mangoes, which inspire fervent devotion across the world. In South Asia, mangoes boast a history steeped in Hindu and Buddhist mythology, even earning a mention in the Kama Sutra. Beyond myth, the authors show us that mangoes hold literary significance as a potent metaphor. While mango-flavored smoothies grace Western grocery shelves, the true essence of sweet, juicy mangoes or tangy, unripe varieties is a rarity: supermarket offerings often prioritize shelf-life over taste.
 
This book offers an accessible introduction to the world of true mango aficionados and the thousand varieties they cherish.

160 pages | 58 color plates, 9 halftones | 4.72 x 7.76 | © 2024

Edible

Food and Gastronomy


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Reviews

"Kirker and Newman’s exhaustive research turns up plenty that informs and entertains (mangoes are a 'hell of a fruit,' former president George W. Bush declared during a 2006 visit to India). . . readers with a taste for trivia will eat this up."

Publishers Weekly

"Kirker and Newman weave a beautiful narrative around one of South East Asia’s most prized and glorious possessions – the mango."

Sonal Ved, author of "Tiffin" and "Whose Samosa Is It Anyway?"

Table of Contents

Introduction
1 Magnificent Mango: Botany, Production and Health
2 Mango Movement
3 Mughals and Mangoes
4 British and European Connections to Mango
5 Mao, Mangoes and the East
6 Sugary Sweet to Sharply Sour: Philippines, Southeast Asia, Australia and South Pacific
7 Mangoes, Metaphors and Meanings
8 Mango Miracle: Future Potential of Mangoes

Recipes
References
Select Bibliography
Websites and Associations
Acknowledgements
Photo Acknowledgements
Index

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