The king of fruits, mango, is not just delicious but also versatile. It can be made into any recipe, from desserts to chutneys, from milkshakes to juice. The humble mango juice is one such example. Instead of consuming commercial soft drinks and energy drinks, which are packed with sugar and aren't too healthy, prepare mango juice at home in no time at all. Needless to say, homemade mango juice is healthy with no preservatives. Homemade mango juice is made primarily with ripe mango and a few pieces of raw mango to balance out the taste of the juice. The ripe and raw mangoes are to be blended into a puree and then strained to get the juice. Water is added to the juice to make it of slightly thinner consistency, but it must be ensured that not too much water is added otherwise the mango flavour will be diluted. Sugar is added as per taste preference, even a bit of jaggery, instead of sugar, can be added to make it less sugary and to add taste. You can even add a pinch of black salt or a pinch of red chilli powder can be added to spice up the juice. Ensure the ripe mangoes are of good quality and not too ripe to make a good mango juice.
Health benefits of mango juice
Mangoes are cultivated in tropical climates and are savoured both in their ripe and raw form. Ripe mangoes have quite a few health benefits. The fruit contains Vitamin C, which helps in fighting infections. Mangoes also contain potassium which is considered good in controlling high blood pressure. It also has iron which helps in those suffering from anemia. Mangoes are good for the immune system and are said to improve memory.
Mango juice is an instant cooler during the hot summer months, so hydrating yourself with it during sultry days is a good idea.
Mango Juice/ Unsplash.com
Ingredients
1. 2 ripe mangoes
2. 1/2 a raw mango
3. 1/2 cup of sugar
4. A little bit of salt
5. Water
Method
1. Cut the ripe mangoes into small cubes
2. Cut the raw mango into small cubes
3. Mix the ripe and raw mango cubes to a slight mash, add a little bit of water, and strain the contents in a bowl to extract a little bit of mango juice
4. Put the above combination in a mixie and make a puree
5. Strain the puree and obtain mango juice
6. Add a little bit of water, add one cup of sugar, and a pinch of salt to balance out the taste
7. Mix well
8. Pour the mango juice into glasses and add ice cubes to serve cold
The mango juice can also be slightly spiced with a little bit of black salt or red chilli powder. But this is optional. The mango juice can be also converted into mango ice cream by freezing it overnight in the refrigerator.
