Mango: A Global History

(Hardback)

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Description

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, mangoes hold literary significance as a potent metaphor. While mango-flavoured smoothies grace Western shelves, the true essence of sweet, juicy mangoes or tangy, unripe varieties is a rarity: supermarket offerings often prioritize shelf-life over taste. True mango aficionados savour the sensory delight of over a thousand vibrant varieties, relishing colours, flavours from sweet to sour, diverse textures, and fragrances.

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""

Author Bio

Constance L. Kirker is a retired Pennsylvania State University Professor of Art History, and an avid gardener and foodie. She is co-author of Edible Flowers and Coconut (Edible series) and Cherry (Botanical series), all published by Reaktion Books. Mary Newman has taught environmental health at Ohio University and the University of Malta. She is co-author of Edible Flowers and Coconut (Edible series) and Cherry (Botanical series), all published by Reaktion Books.