Irvingia gabonensis (Irvingia gabonensis)
Other names: wild mango, African mango
Harm score: 1 (Natural substances)
Irvingia gabuna, also known as wild mango, African mango or Gabonese mango, is a fruit that comes from a tropical tree growing in the forests of West and Central Africa. This tree can grow up to 40 metres high and its fruit is similar to the mango in name, appearance and taste. The irvingia fruit, which reaches 5-6 cm in size, is rich in iodine, vitamin C, calcium and potassium.
The fruit of the irvingia is mainly used in the food industry, especially in African cuisine. It often becomes a component of various sauces, soups or desserts. The fruit is also used to make nutritious smoothies or juices. The seeds of the African mango are a source of edible fat, which can be found in margarine or chocolate. They are also the raw material for soap and cosmetics, where they are valued for their moisturising and nourishing properties. In recent years, irvingia products have also been growing in popularity in the Western world, which has begun to use it as a natural dietary supplement for weight loss and improving cardiovascular health.