How to Choose a Mango

ByChristopher Posted on

To choose a ripe mango, gently squeeze for slight softness, look for vibrant color with some red or yellow hues (depending on variety), and check for a fruity aroma at the stem end. Avoid mangos that are overly hard or wrinkled.

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There are few things more disappointing than biting into a mango only to discover it’s bland, stringy, or worse, totally unripe. A good mango, on the other hand? It’s sweet, juicy, and feels like sunshine in fruit form. I learned this the hard way during a trip to my local grocery store a few years ago when I picked what looked like a perfect mango: smooth skin, rich red color, only to realize it was firm as a rock and had all the flavor of a potato. Lesson learned.

As a recipe developer and someone who believes mangoes deserve their place on every summer menu (hello, mango salsa and mango sorbet!), I’ve picked up a few tried-and-true tips along the way. So today, I’m sharing my foolproof guide for how to choose a mango, with expert-backed advice and a few practical tricks to help you feel confident every time you shop.

How to Choose a Mango

Choosing a ripe mango doesn’t require any fancy skills, just your senses. Here’s exactly what to look for when picking the perfect mango:

1. Feel for Softness

Gently squeeze the mango. A ripe mango will give slightly under pressure, similar to a ripe peach or avocado. If it’s hard as a rock, it’s not ready yet.

Pro tip

Don’t worry about bruising. Mangos are tougher than they look, and a little give is a good sign of ripeness.

2. Check the Color

Color isn’t the most reliable indicator, but it can give clues.

  • Red blush: Often appears as mangos ripen, but doesn’t always mean it’s ripe.
  • Yellow-golden tone: Usually a sign of ripeness, especially for varieties like Ataulfo.
  • Green: Not always unripe! Some mango varieties stay green when ripe, so use color along with touch and smell.

3. Smell the Stem End

Ripe mangos smell sweet and fragrant at the stem. If there’s no scent, it may not be ripe yet. A strong, sour, or fermented smell? That mango may be overripe.

4. Avoid These Common Signs of a Bad Mango:

  • Wrinkled or shriveled skin
  • Large dark spots or leaking sap
  • Rock-hard or mushy texture

When Is a Mango Ripe?

A mango is ripe when:

  • It gives slightly when squeezed
  • It has a sweet, fruity aroma at the stem
  • Its color has changed slightly depending on the variety

Still not sure? Let it sit at room temperature for a day or two. Mango ripeness can sneak up on you fast!

How to Ripen a Mango Quickly

Need that mango ready ASAP?

  • Paper bag method: Place the mango in a paper bag with a banana or apple. These fruits release ethylene gas, which speeds ripening.
  • Keep it warm: Mangos ripen faster at room temperature. Avoid the fridge until it’s ripe.

Important Note

Once ripe, store mangos in the fridge to slow further ripening. Eat within 3–5 days for the best flavor and texture.

How to Eat a Mango (The Easy Way)

  1. Stand the mango upright and slice off the sides just around the pit.
  2. Score the flesh in a crisscross pattern without cutting through the skin.
  3. Invert the slice so the cubes pop out.
  4. Scoop with a spoon or slice off the cubes for snacking, salads, or your favorite mango recipes.

Need it peeled? Use a vegetable peeler on the skin before slicing. Messy, but effective.

  • Tommy Atkins: Fibrous, tart-sweet, green/red skin. Slight give and fruity smell when ripe.
  • Ataulfo (Honey Mango): Small, golden yellow, creamy texture. Best when deep golden and slightly wrinkly.
  • Haden: Juicy and sweet. Look for rich red with yellow undertones and a strong scent.
  • Kent: Less fibrous, deep green with a red blush. Ripen off the counter and look for slight softness.
  • Keitt: Often green even when ripe, with a tangy-sweet flavor. Don’t rely on color—go by feel and smell.

FAQ

Squeeze for slight softness, check for a fruity scent at the stem, and look for subtle color changes.

Use the paper bag trick with a banana or apple and store at room temperature.

Avoid refrigerating until ripe. Cold air halts the ripening process.

They should be slightly soft—firm mangos are likely unripe.

Not always. It depends on the variety. Use touch and smell for better results.

Other Helpful Kitchen Guides

Final Thoughts

Mangos are one of those fruits that feel like a little luxury. They are sweet, juicy, and full of tropical flair. But choosing the right one can feel confusing if you don’t know what to look for. Hopefully, this guide helps you feel more confident next time you’re at the grocery store or farmers market. With just a little know-how (and a quick sniff and squeeze), you’ll be picking perfectly ripe mangoes every time.

Whether you’re slicing them up for a salad, blending them into smoothies, or making a batch of mango salsa for your next BBQ, the key to any great mango recipe starts with choosing the best fruit. So here’s to never eating a bland, underripe mango again, and to savoring every sweet, sun-kissed bite.

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