Curcuma amada

Curcuma amada, or mango ginger is a plant of the ginger family Zingiberaceae and is closely related to turmeric (Curcuma longa). The rhizomes are very similar to common ginger but lack its pungency, and instead have a raw mango flavour.^[1]

Mango ginger
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Clade:	Commelinids
Order:	Zingiberales
Family:	Zingiberaceae
Genus:	Curcuma
Species:	C. amada
Binomial name
Curcuma amada Roxburgh
Synonyms
Curcuma mangga Valeton & van Zijp

Taxonomy

The taxonomy of the species is a subject of some confusion as some authorities have considered the name Curcuma mangga as identical while others describe it as a distinct species with C. mangga being found in southern India while C. amada is of east Indian origin.^[2]

Uses

Mango-ginger is a popular spice and vegetable due to its rich flavor, which is described as sweet with subtle earthy floral and pepper overtones and similar to that of raw mango. It is used as an addition to salads and stir fries, in South Asian and Southeast Asian as well as Far East Asian cuisines.

Mango ginger are used in making pickles in south India and chutneys in north India. It is served as chutney in community feasts in Nepal's southern plains. Mango ginger and elephant foot yam pickle is popular in Nepal's southern plains.

Roots of Curcuma amada

Flower of Curcuma amada