Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure
6.14.
Major nutrient content of fruits of tropical trees. (Data in USDA National Nutrient
Database for Standard Reference, Release 17, http:
//
www.nal.usda.gov
/
fnic
/
foodcomp
/
Data
/
SR17
/
reports
/
sr17page.htm.)
while mango is highest in B vitamins. All these fruits except pummelo have significant
amounts of all the B vitamins.
k
In terms of minerals, avocado is highest in iron and pot-
assium while papaya is high in calcium. These fruits thus contribute significantly to the
vitamin and mineral needs of peoples living in tropical climates.
It is very common to see people in tropical climates eating fruits as snacks several
times a day. In addition, fruit will be used as part of a meal both by itself, mixed with
other components of the diet, and cooked with dishes to add flavor, color, or texture.
Because of the regular consumption of multiple servings of fruit a day, people in
these climates obtain significant amounts of vitamins and minerals from this source,
at least in the seasons when the fruits are available.
Green Mangoes
In all mango-growing areas, Asia, Africa, and Central America, one will commonly
see people eating green mangoes. They are cut into sections, commonly dipped
in salt or a salty mixture of small fish and eaten as a snack. It is the crunchy, sweet
/
sour taste that makes green mangoes a favored snack.
6.4.2 Other Important Tropical Fruits
Countries producing other tropical fruits are shown in Figure 6.15, a map produced on
the basis of FAO data on world production of banana, papaya, and pineapple. The
k
On the basis of a summation of all the B vitamins present.
