There are plenty of benefits to ripening your mangoes at home. Here are four super easy methods to get started.
Are Mangoes Nutritious?
Mangoes are delicious and nutritious fruit. But like all sweet fruits, moderation is key. Sweet fruits like mangoes can have a lot of sugar. But fruit sugar is different from processed sugar because it’s balanced by fiber and a host of nutrients for the body.
Mangoes are a great source of Vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin A. They’re also a good source of dietary antioxidants, which can help protect the body against disease.
Mangos are also a delicious alternative to chips and candy. You’ll get more nutrients, fiber, and vitamins by eating whole foods instead of processed foods.
Not to mention, you’ll reduce your risk of developing obesity or other chronic diseases by eating mangoes.
Mango nutrition facts
Here’s the nutritional information for one serving of mango (1/2 a cup):
- Calories: 107
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 24 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Vitamin A: 25 percent daily value
- Vitamin C: 76 percent daily value
- Potassium: 257 mg
- Vitamin B-6: 0.2 mg
Where can I buy mangoes?
The mango is the most widely eaten fruit in the world. In the United States, mangoes are available year-round but are most popular in the summer.
Mangoes are easy to find at most grocery stores and farmer’s markets, and are reasonably priced at around $0.50 to $2.00 per pound.
In tropical regions, you’ll find mangoes growing naturally in public parks and gardens.
Why does the grocery store sell unripened mangoes?
Mangoes are a popular fruit, and for good reason! They are delicious, healthy, and packed with antioxidants. While on the way to your grocery store, unripe mangoes are stacked on top of each other. Unripe mangoes can withstand the weight of being transported.
Also, mangoes are harvested before they reach their maximum potential because they can ripen while transported. It can take a few days or even weeks for the mangos to reach the grocery store, but they will continue to ripen during that time.
Mangoes aren’t the only food picked when they’re unripe. Apples, tomatoes, and oranges are all picked a bit early, with the expectation that they’ll ripen on their way to the store shelves.
How Can I Tell if A mango is ripe?
The easiest way to tell if a mango is ripe is to gently press it between your thumb and first two fingers. The mango is ready to eat if it yields to pressure and feels somewhat soft. If it doesn’t yield to pressure, the mango is still edible but will likely not be as sweet.
How to Ripen a Mango
Ripe mangoes can be ripened in a few different ways, each with its own benefits. Choose the best ripening method for your mangoes and enjoy the delicious results!
Method 1: Leave Mangoes at Room Temperature
Mangoes are a delicious summertime fruit. There are many different mango varieties, but most of them will ripen over a period of 1-7 days.
The color of the mango will change regardless of when it is ripe, but the best flavor will be achieved if you allow it to ripen at room temperature. This will result in the mango releasing its natural sugars.
Method 2: Put Mangoes in Brown Paper Bag
Mango lovers rejoice! By following this simple tip, you can speed up the ripening process of your fruit. Ethylene gas is responsible for causing fruits to ripen, so keeping it trapped will produce a more rapid result.
Not only will this lead to a tastier mango, but you’ll also be helping the environment since brown paper bags are one of the most environmentally friendly ways to store food.
You can speed up the process further by placing more than one mango in the bag or adding a banana to the pack! Any ethylene-producing fruit will speed up the ripening process of your mango.
Ethylene-producing fruits you can add to your bag:
- Apples
- Banana
- Mangoes
- Pears
Method 3: Place On Top & Back 0f Fridge
If you’re looking to speed up the process of your mangoes’ ripening, place them on top of your refrigerator in the warm spot near the back. By doing this, you’re helping to release the hot air from the cooling unit and speeding up the process. It’s a quick and easy way to get your mangoes to their perfect stage!
Method 4: Microwave Your Mangoes
Did you know that you can “ripen” mangoes in the microwave? By microwaving them for 15-second increments, you can get them to a ripe stage without waiting for them to turn brown.
However, this method isn’t recommended as a microwave-ripened mango can get mushy and won’t have the same natural sweetness as a naturally ripened one.
Microwave mangoes in the same way you would cook potatoes – stab them with a fork a few times and microwave on high for 15-second increments. Once they are soft, you’re good to go!
How do I store my Mangoes?
If you’re like me and love eating mangoes but don’t want them to get too ripe and go bad, then you’ll want to follow my advice and store them in a way that will keep them fresh. One of my favorite ways to store mangoes is by pickling them. Yes, you heard me. Pickled Raw Mangoes are one of life’s great pleasures! Here’s my very own recipe:
In Summary
Now that you know all there is to know about ripening mangoes, it’s time to get started! Whether you wait for them to ripen naturally or you use the paper bag method, these simple steps will have you enjoying this delicious fruit in no time.
And don’t forget: mangoes are not just for eating fresh – they can also be added to smoothies, fruit salads, and other dishes for a burst of flavor and nutrition.
So what are you waiting for? Get started ripening those mangoes!
While you’re here, check out my other fruit guides!
- How To Pick A Ripe Watermelon
- How Long is Watermelon Good For Once Cut?
- How To Cut Dragonfruit
- How To Quickly Ripen Bananas
My most popular recipes:
