There’s a cool summer breeze blowing as you sit at the edge of the ocean biting into its golden yellow reddish skin, and letting the sweet juices drip down your arms to your elbow and then licking each one of your fingers with satisfaction is the best way to eat this fruit. What fruit you ask? MANGOES! Yes it is mango season here in Antigua & Barbuda. The trees and street vendor’s stalls are laden with the beautiful and delectable fruit and to celebrate the season the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Tourism will be hosting the 9th Annual Mango Festival on August 10, 2014 at Christian Valley Agricultural Station.
The main objective of the Festival is to promote economic opportunities through the sustainable use of mango and to educate participants about the many benefits of the fruit. At the festival mangoes will be featured in food, juices and wines, soaps, candles and other products. There will be lots of activities such as a culinary cook off, mango eating competitions and mango picking nature walks through the old Maroon trails.
In 2007, 2008 and 2010 our very own Head Chef Leroy Hodge judged the festival’s Chefs Competition and in some way every year assists with the planning and organizing of the event. A favourite fruit of Chef Hodge mangoes are also featured in many of Bay House’s dishes outside of the breakfast fruit plate. View Bay House’s full menu online:
Black bean tossed salad with capsicum and red onions with a honey cumin dressing, sliced mangoes and tortilla chips
Some fun facts about mangoes:
- Known as the “King of Fruit”
- There are over 1000 species of mangoes
- The mango is that national fruit of India and brought to the Caribbean by Portuguese traders
- The mango is an excellent source of vitamins A, C, E and potassium
So whether you just like biting into the fruit, peeling and cutting it up into cubes, in your food, juices or soaps the annual Mango Festival is not to be missed. Save the date, book a flight and save 20% when you book your stay with us at Trade Winds Hotel.
