How to Find a Good Mango

Find a good mango and bring it home to eat.

Mangoes confuse some shoppers when they attempt to select the best ones from the produce section of the grocery store. While you can judge the ripeness of many fruits by the color of their skin, mango skin color is not a reliable indication of ripeness by itself. This is because mangoes often come in a variety of colors ranging from yellow to red. Find a good mango by assessing several different indicators and you will bring home delectable fruits for your eating pleasure.

Instructions

1. Look at the mangoes and assess their appearance. Look for mangos with smooth skin, no blemishes and no bruising. Color is not an indication of ripeness in mangoes.

2. Select a mango that looks visually appealing. Press your fingers gently into the sides of the mango to see how firm it is. If the mango gives slightly to your light pressing, it is ripe and ready to eat. If the mango feels firm and does not give to your light pressing, it will likely ripen within three to five days.

3. Smell the point on the mango where the stem protrudes. If you detect a mango scent, the mango is ripe.

Tips & Warnings

• Use many of the same criteria for choosing nectarines and peaches for selecting a mango.

• If you decide to purchase mangoes that are not yet ripe, hasten the ripening process by placing the mangoes in a brown paper bag, closing the bag and placing the bag on a kitchen counter. Leave the mangoes in the bag for one to two days and check the mangoes for ripeness.

• Keep ripe mangoes in the refrigerator.

References

• Purdue University: Mango
• University of Illinois Extension: Plant Palette--Mangoes