Mangoes are now available in stores all year round. But they don't always arrive at the store ripe, as they are often harvested unripe. Mangoes ripen somewhere in the world all year round.
How do you know when a mango is ripe?
You can recognize a ripe mango by its intense scent, the way it yields to light pressure and the plump flesh at the base of the stem. The color of the peel is not a reliable indicator of ripeness.
Mangoes are grown around the globe in warm areas without winter frost, preferably in the tropics. Although the ripening and harvesting times are limited in each area, the many different growing regions make it at least theoretically possible to offer ripe mangoes at any time. However, mangoes are often harvested unripe. They then partially ripen during transport or in trade.
How do you recognize a ripe mango?
You can recognize a ripe mango from afar by its intense scent. If you take the fruit in your hand, the peel will give way when you lightly press it with your finger. But don't press the mango too hard, otherwise there will soon be an ugly brown rot. At the base of the stem, the flesh is so plump that the stem sticks out a little.
The color, on the other hand, says nothing about the degree of ripeness of a mango. You will find both green, fully ripe fruits as well as bright red or orange-red fruits that are still very hard and unripe. The different types of mangoes are colored very differently.
Signs of ripeness of a mango:
- intense scent
- gives to light pressure
- plump flesh at the base of the stem
What is the best way to let a mango ripen?
If the mangoes are still unripe when you buy them, then you have to do it yourself. Wrap your mango in newspaper and place the package in a warm place, then the mango will ripen in a short time.
Make sure your mango doesn't spoil. Check at least once a day. An alternative to newspaper are ripe apples. They release a gas that causes other fruits to ripen faster.
Tips & Tricks
Do not store ripe mangoes in the refrigerator. They lose their taste very quickly there. If you are not going to use your mangoes immediately, freezing is a better alternative.
