How To Tell If A Mango Is Ripe

You don’t just know these things from the top of your head because you might not be eating mangos on a weekly or daily basis. Therefore you might a little bit of How To Tell If A Mango Is Ripe.

Mangos are known for being a delicious and juicy fruit but for the juice, you might wait for it to ripen. They are great to add into smoothies or eat on a lovely summer’s day! 

This guide will cover different tips and signs on how you can detect if the mango is ripe and some of the different stages it goes through before then. Can you eat it if it isn’t ripe? Find out here! 

What Are The Different Ways You Can Tell If The Mango Is Ripe?

Here are a few steps that you can take to determine whether the mango has ripened or not: 

By Its Appearance 

For most types of mango, you are looking for a nice round shape like a football when it is ripe. However, there are other types of mango that do look different when they are ripe.

For example, some are flatter and much smaller and others skinny, oblong or oval shaped.

Therefore, you need to be aware that there are different types of mango which do have different shapes and look different when ripe. 

The Stem 

There is also another way you can tell if your fruit is ripe and that is by looking at the stem of the fruit. It should be more plump and round.

Before the fruit has ripened you will notice the difference between the stem before and after. This is because the flesh around the stem before will be flat.

However, when ripe, the stem will rise making the surface less flat than before which is something to look out for. 

Not Always About Color 

When it comes to the color, it is not one of the best ways to find out whether the fruit is ripe or not because it changes with different types of mangos.

For example, here are a few different types of color changes: 

• • Francis mango will have a combination of green/golden when ripe. 

• • Ataulfo will turn a deep, golden color. 

• • Haden mango will turn green/yellow. 

• • It can be extremely confusing with certain types of mangos because the colors can vary with the same type. Therefore, it can be easier to use some of the other options to find out whether the mango is ripe yet. 

Speckles 

You can sometimes even look at the peel/skin of the mango to see other indications such as speckles. If you can see some brown spots on the peel, this could be an indication that it is ready.

However, this is not always a sure thing, so you might need to use a combination of these options to determine whether it is ripe to be sure. 

The Smell

You always want to be going for the sweetest smelling mango. You will locate the strongest smell by the stem of the mango and if there is a really sweet smell coming from there, there will be a high chance that it has ripened.

You should also be smelling for what you want to taste. When the fruit is ripened it should smell juicy and sweet like a ripe mango. 

Sour Smells 

Any type of sour smell or alcohol smell needs to be avoided. If it is a really strong smell this could mean that the fruit is over-ripe.

When it is over-ripe, it will actually start to rot and will not be very good for you at all. When the fruit over-ripens, the sugar content will naturally ferment which explains that particular smell. 

Texture And Shape 

You can also determine ripeness by feeling the firmness of the mango. For a nicely ripe mango, you are looking for something that you are able to squeeze slightly but holds its shape well.

If your mango is overly soft when squeezed it is over-ripe and rotting. If your mango is rock solid and you can’t squeeze it at all, it is not ready to eat yet. 

You can also look out for little wrinkles in the skin of the mango which can indicate that it is ripened as well. 

You can also just put the mango on its weight. If the mango feels quite heavy for its size, it is usually more ripe than one that is lighter, this is because of the contents inside of the mango becoming juicier.

When the fruit is ripe, you need to make sure you pop it straight in the fridge to make sure it stays good for longer. If you do not, it will over-ripe very quickly and you might not even get to consume it.

Could we make a drink with a unripe mango?

Unripe mangoes are generally not suitable for eating or drinking as they are hard, sour, and not very flavorful. They can be used in some types of cooking, such as pickling or making chutneys, but they are not commonly used in drinks. It is best to wait until the mango is ripe before using it in a drink or any other recipe.

That being said, if you really want to try using an unripe mango in a drink, you could try blending it with other ingredients to mask the sour taste. For example, you could blend unripe mango with a ripe banana, some ice, and a sweetener (such as honey or agave nectar) to make a smoothie. You could also try adding unripe mango to a juice or cocktail along with other flavorful ingredients to balance out the sourness. However, keep in mind that the resulting drink may not be very enjoyable due to the unripe mango’s lack of sweetness and flavor.

Conclusion 

Ripe mango is a sweet and sour fruit that is packed with nutrition. It is one of those fruits that goes way beyond its taste.

When determining how ripe your mango is, you need to be following these different steps to make sure you’re not trying to eat a mango that is not ready or is over-ripened. 

From touch to smell, there are many different ways to tell if it is ripe because it will give off different smells at the stem or include speckles on the skin and will have the right feel in your palm.

It is just about looking out for these indications so you can have your mangos at the perfect time. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Mangoes Change Color When They Ripen?

Some mangoes change color as they ripen and if you know what color to look for, for that variety of mango, you’ll be on your way to having a good indication of knowing if your mango is ripe.

Color is just one aspect. We’ll go into more detail below.