Aroma and texture are two of the best indicators of a mango's ripeness. The appearance of a mango can also be a clue, but it doesn't just depend on its appearance. Before you decide to peel a mango you just got, read this article to see if the mango is ripe enough to enjoy.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Check Her Appearance
Step 1. Consider the shape
For various types of mango, a round shape is preferred over a flat one. That is, there are specific differences between the types of mangoes that you should keep in mind.
- The honey mango is oval in shape when it is ripe. This type is also usually quite small.
- The cokonan mango is slightly long rounded and has a shape like the letter S when it is ripe.
- Mango haden is round to oval in shape. This type is usually medium to large in size.
- Keitt mangoes are large, oval in shape.
- The Kent Mango is also one of the large, oval in shape.
- African honey mango is oval or slightly long rounded. This type is usually medium to large in size.
- Alphonso mango is slightly rounded.
- The edward mango is fully round and slightly long rounded.
- Kesar mangoes are usually round in shape.
- Manila mangoes are mostly slender and thin.
- Mango palmer shaped slightly long rounded.
Step 2. Check the stem
The flesh and skin on the stalk should be large and round.
Before the mango ripens, the edges of the stalk will be flat. Flesh, fruit juice and sugar in the fruit has not been fully formed. When the mango begins to ripen, the stalk will be large from the edges to the other parts that are still flat
Step 3. Don't get hung up on color
The red color often describes how much sunlight hits the mango, not the freshness of the mango. Moreover, if the color of the ripe mango is the same as the color before it is ripe. Don't just check the ripeness of a mango just from the color, but use it as an additional clue, you have to know in advance how a certain type of mango looks when it's ripe.
- Honey mangoes turn darker, golden when ripe.
- Cokonan mangoes have a mixed color of green and golden when ripe. The greenish color of the yellow skin will slowly fade away, turning golden. Note, however, that the green color will remain.
- The haden mango changes color from green to yellow when ripe. This type tends to turn red, but that doesn't mean the red color indicates that the mango is ripe.
- Keitt mangoes will remain green when ripe.
- Kent mangoes will be dark green in color, but often have yellowish spots on certain areas when ripe.
- African honey mango has only a few specific color characteristics to indicate maturity. The skin remains yellow-green in color which will later turn golden, or dark reddish in color.
- Alphonso mangoes have purple to yellowish skin when ripe.
- Edward mangoes have skins that will turn pink, yellow, or a mixture of both when ripe.
- Kesar mangoes will remain green when ripe, but are often yellow as well.
- Manila mangoes are usually orange-yellow in color when ripe, but sometimes the skin turns pink.
- Palmer mangoes can come in a variety of colors, often purple, red, yellow, or a mixture of the three.
Step 4. Pay attention to the spots
Although this is not always the right clue, one of the things is if the skin of the fruit has some brown spots or stains, it looks like the mango is starting to ripen.
- Mangoes without spots may also be ripe, depending on the variety. Spots are not only an indication of the level of maturity.
- Some types of mango, such as the Kent mango, may have yellow spots rather than brown spots.
Part 2 of 4: Check By Scent
Step 1. Choose a fragrant mango
Smell the mango aroma in the area around the stem. If it has a sharp, fragrant fruity aroma, chances are the mango is ripe.
- Smell the mango aroma at the edges of the stem. The aroma will be sharper in that area, and will make it easier for you to know how the mango smells.
- The smell of the manga should make you imagine how it feels. Taste and smell are related, and something that smells good will have an impact on how it tastes.
Step 2. Don't mind the sour or alcoholic smell of the mango
If you smell a mango near the stem and it smells sour, this is a sign that the mango is overripe and starting to rot.
Mango has a high sugar content compared to other fruits. When the mango has started to rot, it will naturally ferment. This will produce an acid, and alcohol aroma. It also means that the mango is overripe. The mango will taste sour as it smells
Part 3 of 4: Check By Touch
Step 1. Squeeze the mango gently
When you gently press the sides of the mango, you should feel the soft flesh inside. A soft mango indicates the mango is ripe.
- A firm mango when pressed indicates that the mango is not ripe enough.
- Don't let the mango feel mushy. If your finger pricks when you press down on the mango, then the mango is overripe.
- To avoid breaking the mango when you press it, press it with the palm of your hand instead of your fingertips. Hold the mango in the palm of your hand. Tighten your hand on the fruit, and press it with your palm.
Step 2. Feel the peel
Gently rub the surface of the mango peel with your fingertips. Often, a ripe mango will have wrinkles on the skin.
- However, if wrinkles don't appear, it doesn't mean the mango is not ripe.
- If the wrinkles are deep and there are many on the surface, it looks like the mango is overripe.
- The honey mango will have wrinkles when it is ripe. Others may have slight wrinkles that are hard to spot, while others remain soft when ripe.
Step 3. Check the weight
Take a mango and feel its weight with your hands. Ripe mangoes will feel heavier than they look and will feel heavier than unripe mangoes.
If you need a better gauge of weight, compare the weight of mangoes that you think are ripe with mangoes that are unripe. Unripe mangoes will taste lighter than ripe mangoes, especially if they are the same size and type. If both weigh the same, then the mango you think is ripe may not be ripe
Part 4 of 4: Ripening an Unripe Mango
Step 1. Place the mango in a paper bag
While this isn't really necessary, putting the mango in the bag will speed up the ripening process.
- Fruit naturally produces ethylene gas to ripen the fruit. The presence of the hormone ethylene will speed up ripening, and the paper bag will trap the ethylene gas that is formed inside so that it can ripen the fruit.
- Putting apples or bananas in a bag with mangoes can speed up the ripening process because these two fruits can produce large amounts of ethylene gas.
Step 2. Place mangoes away from room temperature
Check the mangoes every time, using the method described here, to see if the ripening process is complete.
- This can take 2 to 7 days, depending on how unripe the mango was when it started to ripen.
- Do not put unripe mangoes in the refrigerator. Cold temperatures can slow the ripening process, and unripe mangoes can go bad in the refrigerator before they're ripe.
Step 3. Transfer to the fridge when the mango is ripe
Ripe mangoes should be eaten immediately or refrigerated for up to five days.
