Mangoes are absolutely delicious and packed with vitamins, but let’s be real: finding a perfectly ripe one at the grocery store can feel like a total guessing game. If you’ve ever come home with a rock-hard fruit, don’t worry! Here is everything you need to know about storing mangoes so they ripen up perfectly.
How to Store a Ripe Mango
Depending on the luck of the draw at the store, your mango might be ready to eat right away or need a little time. Ideally, you should always keep your mangoes at room temperature. If you’ve got a mango that is already ripe, keep it away from apples! Apples release ethylene gas, which speeds up the ripening process of nearby fruit. If a ripe mango sits next to an apple, it’ll go from perfect to mushy and spoiled before you know it. Generally, once a mango is ripe, you’ll want to enjoy it pretty quickly.
Dealing with Unripe Mangoes
Most mangoes on store shelves are still quite firm and need to ripen at home. A mango only develops that signature sweet flavor if it’s given enough time to mature. Usually, this takes a few days at room temperature. If you’re in a hurry, you can actually use the “apple trick” to your advantage: place your unripe mango next to an apple or another ripe mango to speed things up. You’ll be slicing into a juicy snack in no time!
One big “no-no” is keeping mangoes in the refrigerator long-term. As a tropical fruit, mangoes love warmth. The cold doesn’t just kill the flavor; it actually stops the ripening process entirely. If you ever cut into a mango and see brown spots inside, that’s usually a sign it was stored somewhere too cold.
Is It Ripe Yet?
Of course, the easiest way is to pick out a ripe mango right from the start. You can tell a mango is ready by its sweet, tropical aroma. Give it a gentle squeeze—the skin should give slightly under your thumb rather than feeling hard. Also, look at the stem end; it should look a bit plump or “filled out.” Don’t let the color fool you, though! Depending on the variety, a mango can be perfectly ripe even if the skin is still green.
Quick Tips at a Glance
Storing mangoes isn’t rocket science, but a few simple rules make a big difference. Here’s the breakdown:
- Always store at room temperature.
- Keep ripe mangoes away from apples.
- Never store them in the fridge.
- Use apples or ripe fruit to help unripe mangoes mature faster.
- Check for ripeness (smell and feel) before you buy.
- If you can’t eat it in time, freezing is a great way to save the fruit for smoothies!
