How to Tell if a Mango is Ripe and How to Store It

There are several easy ways to check if a mango is ripe and ready to eat. The most important thing is to use your senses to examine the fruit carefully.

- Check the Color: A ripe mango usually has bright colors. Look for yellow, orange, or red skin. Some mangoes stay green when ripe, so color is not always the best way to tell. Different types of mangoes have different colors when they are ready to eat.

- Feel the Mango: Touch the mango gently with your fingers. A ripe mango feels soft when you press it lightly. It should give a little bit when you squeeze it, like a soft peach. If the mango feels very hard, it is not ready to eat yet. If it feels too soft or mushy, it might be too ripe.

- Smell the Mango: Hold the mango near your nose and smell the area where the stem was. A ripe mango has a sweet, fruity smell. If you cannot smell anything, the mango might not be ripe yet. If the mango smells sour or like alcohol, it is probably too old to eat.

- Look at the Skin: Check the mango's skin for dark spots or wrinkles. A few small dark spots are normal on a ripe mango. However, if there are many large dark spots or if the skin looks damaged, the mango might be overripe. The skin should look smooth and healthy.

- Check the Shape: A ripe mango often looks full and round. The fruit should feel heavy for its size. This means it has lots of juice inside. Light mangoes might be dry or not fully developed.

Cutting a mango correctly helps you get the most fruit with the least waste. There are two main ways to cut a mango, and both methods are easy to learn.

How to Cut a Mango into Cubes

Cutting a mango into cubes is a popular way to prepare this fruit. This method creates small, easy-to-eat pieces that are perfect for snacks or recipes.

Steps to Cut Mango Cubes:

1. Wash the mango with clean water and dry it with a towel

2. Hold the mango upright with the stem area on top

3. Cut down on one side of the large pit in the center

4. Cut down on the other side of the pit

5. Take one half and make cuts in a grid pattern through the flesh, but do not cut through the skin

6. Push the skin from the bottom to make the cubes pop out

7. Cut the cubes away from the skin with a knife

8. Repeat with the other half

How to Cut a Mango into Slices

Slicing a mango creates longer pieces that work well for eating fresh or adding to dishes. This method is also simple and gives you neat, uniform pieces.

Steps to Cut Mango Slices:

1. Clean the mango and place it on a cutting board

2. Cut off a small piece from the top and bottom

3. Stand the mango up on one of the flat ends

4. Use a sharp knife to cut down from top to bottom, following the curve of the fruit

5. Remove all the skin in strips

6. Cut the peeled mango into slices around the pit

7. Make the slices as thick or thin as you prefer

Proper storage keeps mangoes fresh and helps them ripen correctly. Where you store your mango depends on whether it is ripe or still needs time to ripen.

Storing Unripe Mangoes

If your mango is not ripe yet, keep it at room temperature. Place it on your kitchen counter away from direct sunlight. The mango will continue to ripen over several days. Check it daily to see when it becomes ready to eat.

You can speed up the ripening process by putting the mango in a paper bag. Add an apple or banana to the bag if you want the mango to ripen even faster. These fruits release a gas that helps mangoes ripen more quickly.

Storing Ripe Mangoes

Once your mango is ripe, you can keep it in the refrigerator. A ripe mango will stay fresh in the fridge for about five days. Do not wash the mango until you are ready to eat it.

If you have cut your mango, store the pieces in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Cut mango pieces will stay fresh for two to three days. Always cover cut fruit to prevent it from drying out.

Freezing Mangoes

You can freeze mango pieces for later use. Cut the mango into cubes or slices and place them on a tray. Put the tray in the freezer for a few hours. Once the pieces are frozen, move them to a freezer bag. Frozen mango pieces can last for up to six months.

Mangoes are delicious fruits that you can enjoy in many different ways. Here are some popular methods to eat and use mangoes in your meals and snacks.

1. Eat Fresh Mango Pieces: The simplest way to enjoy a mango is to eat it fresh. Cut the mango into cubes or slices and eat them with a fork or your hands. Fresh mango makes a healthy snack that is full of vitamins and natural sweetness.

2. Make a Mango Smoothie: Blend ripe mango pieces with milk, yogurt, or water to make a creamy smoothie. Add honey if you want extra sweetness. Mango smoothies are refreshing drinks that taste great on hot days.

3. Add Mango to Salads: Cut mango into small pieces and add them to green salads or fruit salads. The sweet taste of mango goes well with lettuce, spinach, and other vegetables. It also pairs nicely with other tropical fruits.

4. Create Mango Sauce: Blend ripe mango with lime juice, salt, and spices to make a sauce. This sauce tastes great with grilled chicken, fish, or vegetables. You can also use it as a dip for chips or crackers.

5. Make Mango Ice Cream: Freeze mango pieces and then blend them until smooth. This creates a natural ice cream that is healthy and delicious. You can eat it right away or freeze it again for a firmer texture.

6. Prepare Mango Salsa: Mix diced mango with onions, peppers, cilantro, and lime juice. This fresh salsa is perfect with tortilla chips or as a topping for tacos and grilled meats. The combination of sweet and spicy flavors is very popular.

7. Bake Mango Bread: Use mashed ripe mango in bread recipes instead of bananas. Mango bread is moist and has a tropical flavor. You can add nuts or coconut flakes for extra texture and taste.

8. Dry Mango Slices: Cut mangoes into thin slices and dry them in a low oven or food dehydrator. Dried mango makes a chewy, sweet snack that lasts for weeks. This is a great way to preserve mangoes when you have too many fresh ones.