The mango tree is an evergreen, meaning that it doesn't periodically loose its leaves and regrow them. It grows to be 30 feet to 100 feet tall, though it may grow up to 125 feet. The leaves of the mango tree grow up to 1 foot in length, and the flowers are small and pink with a noticeable scent that grow in clusters. Another characteristic of the mango tree is its long life. 300 year old mango trees exist and they still produce fruit.
More than 1,000 varieties of mangoes exist and the colors, sizes and tastes of each vary from each other. The types of mango that can be found in a grocery store include Haden, Ataulfo, Tommy Atkins, Keitt and Kent. Overall, the mango tends to be asymmetrical, and depending on the variety may weigh several pounds or several ounces. Colors of the mango's skin include orange, green and red, and the flesh ranges from orange to light yellow. On the inside of the mango is a big seed, which varies in shape.
A mango is ready to eat when it has a fruit smell around the end where its stem was and it squishes a little when you squeeze it gently. Do not pick a dried up mango or one that has bruises. A ripe mango's flavor is sweet and rich.
When harvesting mangoes, wash them as soon as possible to remove the sap that comes out of the stem. The sap, if left on the mango skin will burn it, making black lesions. These lesions cause rotting.