Is Mango a Citrus Fruit?

What is a Citrus Fruit? Does it contains Citric Acid?

Citrus fruits are known for their brightly colored, acidic juices contained within their thick rinds or peels. Citrus refers to a taxonomy classification of flowering plants in the Rutaceae family, also known as the rue family.

Some key characteristics of citrus fruits include:

• Sour or acidic taste: Due to the presence of citric acid, citrus fruits have a signature tart, sour flavor profile.
• Peel/skin protection: The thick rind or peel of citrus fruits acts as a protective coating, helping prevent water loss and shielding the fruit from harmful microbes, insects, or UV exposure.
• Grow on trees: All types of citrus fruits grow as crops on trees or bushes in tropical or subtropical climates.
• High in vitamin C, oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit are excellent dietary sources, with one fruit providing 30% or more of the daily value.

The most recognized types of citrus fruits are oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits, tangerines, pomelos, and hybrids such as tangelos. Citrus fruits are very versatile and are used both fresh and in juices, jams, marmalades, extracts, and other recipes requiring acidity.

 Mango: King of Fruit 

Mangoes are among the most popular fruits globally, prized for their exotic flavor and nutritional profile. A native fruit of South Asia, it has been cultivated for over 4,000 years across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. So mango is a tropical fruit.

At its core, the mango is a juicy, oval-shaped stone fruit containing one flat, long pit. Some key facts:

• Description: Mangoes have soft, fibrous pulp that ranges from golden-yellow to reddish, with a sticky texture when ripe. Sizes vary by cultivar.
• Growing regions: major producing countries include India, China, Thailand, Mexico, and Indonesia. Mangoes also grow in Florida, California, Hawaii and Puerto Rico in the U.S.
• Nutrition: Mangoes are low in calories yet pack vitamins A, C, and B6, as well as fiber. One serving provides 20% of the daily recommended vitamin C intake.
• Varieties: Common types consumed are Francis, Ataulfo or Haden mangoes from Mexico, Kent and Kesar from India; and Keitt and Floridian from the U.S.

Mango Features and Classification

Some key traits of the mango tree and its fruit include:

Tree Features

• Can reach 100 feet tall, branched with broad canopy
• Leathery, lance-shaped leaves (6–16) are long, arranged alternately on branches
• Small green or cream flowers growing in panicles at branch ends

Fruit Features

• oval or oblong shape, averaging 6–16 oz in weight
• Thick leathery skin color varies (red, yellow, green)
• Fleshy color from yellow to red, soft but fiberless texture
• Large flat pit containing one seed, not sections like citrus

Mangoes are scientifically classified as drupes, a type of fruit with a thick peel encasing a shell and seed.

Mango Classification	Citrus Classification
Kingdom: Plantae	Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta	Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida	Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Sapindales	Order: Sapindales
Family: Anacardiaceae	Family: Rutaceae

Similarities and Differences

Let’s assess the key similarities and differences between mango and citrus fruits:

Smell and taste:

• Citrus is acidic or tart with distinctive aromas like lemon.
• Mango’s sweet and tangy, aromatic flavor lacks acidity.

Culinary Uses:

• Citrus commonly juiced, zested, sections in salads or drinks
• Mango versatile: juiced, smoothies, chutneys, salsas

Peel/Skin:

• Citrus peel is thick, aromatic with volatile oils, and has internal segments
• Mango peel leathery, external single-seeded internal pulp

Coloration:

• Some citrus fruits, like oranges and mangoes, ranges from green to yellow or red
• However, citrus sections color differs from external peel color

Shape:

• Most citrus is spherical but shapes vary; mangoes are oblong, oval-shape

While mangoes and citrus fruits bear similarities in color, uses, and importance as crops, their genus classifications, structures, growing needs, and especially taste profiles differ. This suggests mango should not be scientifically categorized as a citrus fruit.

Growing Conditions and Care

Citrus and mangoes require different climatic conditions to thrive.

Temperature:

• Citrus grows in warm temperate or subtropical climates and tolerates light frost
• Mangoes thrive in tropical climates above 68°F with little temperature variation

Rainfall:

• Citrus needs 15–30 inches rainfall annually and tolerates dry spells
• Mangoes require 25–75 inches rainfall concentrated in wet season

Soil:

• Citrus grows in fertile, well-draining soils like loam or sandy loam
• Mangoes prefer deep, well-draining soil rich in nutrients and organic matter

Sunlight:

• At least 6 hours direct sun needed for citrus trees
• Mangoes require full sun exposure year-round

There is another in-depth article on mango cultivation. You can get a complete guide as a beginner through that article.

Nutrient Content Comparison

Citrus fruits are renowned for their nutritional qualities, like vitamin C content. Let’s analyze how mango’s nutritional profile compares:

Vitamin C:

• Oranges contain 60 mg of vitamin C per 100g.
• Mangoes contain 28mg vitamin C.

Fiber:

• Oranges have 3.1g fiber per 100g
• Mangoes over 2.5x more at 8g fiber per 100g

Other Vitamins & Minerals:

• Citrus is rich in folate, potassium, and vitamins B1, B5, B6, A, and E.
• Mangoes also contain folate and potassium, plus vitamin A and B6

Phytonutrients:

• Oranges and grapefruit contain antioxidant polyphenols like flavonoids
• Mangoes contain beta-carotene, quercetin, and astragalin phenolic compounds

Is Scientifically Mango a Citrus Fruit?

Upon closer botanical analysis, mangoes are not considered citrus fruits from a taxonomic standpoint.

• Citrus belongs to the Rutaceae family. Mango falls under the Anacardiaceae family. Other plants in that family include sumac, pistachio, and cashew.
• Chemical makeup: histological and biochemical analysis shows that mangoes lack characteristic traits. For example, they have fewer flavonoids and terpenoid compounds compared to citrus.
• Experts weigh in. Sources like the USDA and Royal Botanical Gardens Kew classify mango as a drupe, tropical fruit, but not citrus.
  Some relationship between mango and citrus exists.
  • Pollination: Mangoes rely on cross-pollination from citrus plants’ wind-carried pollen to fruit.
  • Taxonomy debates: Some feel it could be reclassified under a broader “citrus order” due to genetic proximity.
• So while mangoes are not true citrus, they share some traits and have coevolved interdependence with citrus. Their classification status may be revisited as research on plant phylogenetics progresses. For now, most taxonomists agree that mango itself is not scientifically classified as a citrus fruit.

Serving and Cooking With Mangoes

Once the question of mango’s taxonomy is settled, it’s worth exploring delicious ways to enjoy and incorporate this unique fruit into meals.

Selection: Choose mangoes yielding to pressure without bruises. Various ripeness levels suit eating fresh or using in recipes.

Preparation: Slice thickly around the flat seed with a knife, peel if desired, or score, and remove chunks directly from the peel.

Fresh eating: Enjoy slices plain as a snack, on cereal, or add them to fruit salads, salsas, or chutneys for a tropical touch.

Smoothies: Blend mangoes with yogurt, milk, or ice for a thick, sweet treat perfect for hot weather.

Salsa: Diced mangoes paired with onions, cilantro, and lime make a refreshing topping for chips, fish, or pork.

Chutneys: Try Indian-style mango chutney with spices, curries, or as a condiment.

Fruit salads: Bring Southeast Asian flair by adding mangoes to mixed fruit with coconut flakes.

Grilling/barbecuing: Brush mango halves with honey or brown sugar before cooking for a caramelized dessert.

FAQs 

Conclusion

We discussed different things on the topic, Is mango a citrus fruit? As we know, mangoes and citrus fruits share a tangy taste; they are botanically distinct.

Scientifically, mangoes are accepted to fall under the Anacardiaceae plant family rather than the Rutaceae, which contains true citrus fruits.

Notable differences in flavor profile, peel characteristics, growth habits, and chemical makeup separate mango from citrus.