Mangoes are delicious tropical fruits that are low in fat yet high in fiber, vitamins and minerals and can help support healthy skin, immunity and digestion. (Add them to fruit smoothies for a refreshing breakfast or dice them into salsas and salads.)
Despite all the pros of eating mangoes, theres one major con: Green mangoes can be difficult to tell when theyre ripe, much like avocados.
Here, registered dietitian Andrea Mathis, RDN, LD explains what to do with that unripe mango youve already cut into. (And yes, its totally safe to eat unripe mangoes. They just might not taste as good.)
Ripe mangoes come in a variety of colors, including green, yellow and red. A ripe mango has an even, glossy color, has a fruity scent at the stem end, and should yield to gentle pressure when squeezed.
Hard mangoes are usually unripe. If the mango wont be used within a few days, its best to buy a firmer mango so it doesnt spoil too quickly.
It’s safe for a few hours, but it won’t make your mango sweeter. Mangoes, and all other fruit that ripen after picking, will only ripen if left whole. Once you’ve sliced a mango, it won’t ripen at all. If you bought it sliced, and it isn’t ripe, you can always use it in a salad.
Cut Discolored Portions
If you let the mango sit at room temperature for too long, the exterior of the mango may turn brown or discolored in some areas. Overripe mangoes begin to rot and become wrinkled.
If yours has, simply cut around these imperfect parts.
Wait For the Mango to Ripen
Ripening usually occurs between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit and can take 3 to 8 days, according to the National Center for Home Food Preservation. Check the mango once a day.
Once ripe, use immediately or transfer to the refrigerator for later use.
How To Ripen Mangoes Faster At Home: 5 Simple Methods
FAQ
How do you ripen a mango after cutting it?
Is it OK to eat unripe mango?
How do you soften an unripe mango?
Can mangoes ripen after they are picked?
Do mangoes ripen over time?
Thankfully, mangoes will ripen over time. As long as you leave the mango at room temperature (like on the counter) and not in the fridge, you’ll be on your way to ripe fruit in no time. If you’d like to speed up the process even more, wrap the mango in a towel, newspaper, or place it in a paper bag.
What are the disadvantages of eating ripe mangoes?
Eating ripe mangoes may not be as enjoyable as a mango at its peak ripeness. Overripe mangoes tend to be a little mushy and their flavor may be sweeter than is ideal. They are still safe to consume. Vitamin C content is much higher in the unripe fruit than in the ripened one.
Do mango trees drop when ripe?
If you happen to grow mango trees in your yard, you’ll know that when the fruit is ripe, the tree drops them like a bad habit. But if you’re buying them from a store, that is decidedly not the case. Most grocery store mangos come from Central and South America, are harvested before they’re fully grown to stay within importation weight guidelines.
How long does ripe mango last?
You can use the ripened mango as you usually would — in fruit salads, smoothies, salsas and so on. Once it’s ripe, you have about 2 to 3 days to use it if you leave it at room temperature or 5 to 7 days if kept refrigerated. You can also freeze the chopped ripe mango — frozen fruit technically doesn’t go bad.