How to Cut and Prepare a Mango

Use fresh mangoes in recipes or eat them raw.

Mangoes are full of vitamins and antioxidants and can rid your body of toxins. Aside from using mangoes in chutneys and desserts, you can eat mangoes raw, add them to fruit salad or use them to make fresh mango juice. Although mangoes are healthy and delicious, they can be a hassle to prepare due to their large pits and tough skins. Avoid wasting any of this delicious fruit by cutting and preparing it properly.

Things You'll Need

• Cutting board
• Knife

Instructions

1. Place the mango on your cutting board. Slice the mango lengthwise about 1/2 inch from the stem. Do not cut it exactly in half. The goal is to cut as near the pit as possible without hitting it directly.

2. Make the same cut on the opposite side of the pit. These parts you have cut off are called the "cheeks" of the mango.

3. Make a series of perpendicular cuts to form a checkerboard pattern of slices in each cheek. Do not cut through the peel.

4. Turn each cheek inside out and cut the flesh away from the peel. Discard peels.

5. Cut the peel away from the flesh surrounding the pit with the knife. Discard the peel.

6. Separate the flesh surrounding the pit with your knife. Throw away the pit.

Tips & Warnings

• A mango will be slightly soft to the touch when it is ripe. An unripe mango will be more difficult to prepare and not nearly as tasty.

References

• Start Cooking: How to Peel a Mango
• Disabled World: Benefit of Mango for Health
• Epicurious: Mango Recipes