4 Easy Ways to Know When Your Mango Is Perfectly Ripe

We've all experienced the disappointment – excited to savor a fresh, juicy mango only to find it too tough to cut through, excessively fibrous, or unbearably tart.

While the mango's skin may cover up the fruit, once you understand what signs to look for and how to use your senses, choosing the perfect mango goes from stressful to simple and fun. There's no reason not to look forward to taking home a sweet, ripe mango.

Identifying a Ripe Mango

Don't rely on color alone to judge ripeness. Mangoes come in a variety of colors, sizes, and shapes depending on the variety, so color is not the best indicator of when a mango is ripe. You might hear that a red or pink spot on the skin signals ripeness, but that's not necessarily true.

That said, here are four more reliable ways to determine if your mango is ripe:

The Squeeze Test

Gently squeeze the mango. It should yield slightly. If it's hard as a rock, it's not ripe. If it feels overly soft, mushy, or has too many squishy spots, it's past its prime. Keep in mind that mangoes fall off the tree when ripe, so a single bruise or blemish could simply be from natural dropping.

You can apply the same technique you might use when picking a peach or avocado. If you've ever chosen one of those fruits by feel, you'll know the right amount of softness to look for with a mango.

Smell

Take a sniff of the fruit. A ripe mango will have a sweet, fruity scent near its stem, and if it's perfectly ripe, the entire fruit will emit a pleasant aroma. Look for a touch of sweetness in the fragrance; if it smells more piney or off, it's best to leave it behind.

Sap

When mangoes are ripe, their stems release sap, which can drip onto the fruit's surface. This often results in a condition called sap burn—dark spots or streaks near the tip of the mango—which can easily be confused with rot. However, sap burn is actually a clear sign that the mango is ripe and ready to eat.

Size

Pick mangoes of similar size and use the store's produce scale for a better idea. The heavier mango is typically one that was harvested later in the growth process, which makes it a safe bet for being riper.

Can a Mango Ripen on the Counter?

If you grow mango trees in your garden, you know that ripe mangoes fall off the tree naturally. However, store-bought mangoes aren't usually that lucky. Most mangoes in stores come from Central and South America and are picked before reaching full ripeness to comply with import weight restrictions. This often results in unripe mangoes on the shelves—and possibly in your kitchen.

Luckily, mangoes will continue to ripen at room temperature. Simply leave them out on the counter (not in the fridge), and they will gradually soften. To speed up the process, you can wrap them in a towel, place them in a paper bag, or even use newspaper.

Find the recipe: Coconut-Lime Cheesecake with Mango Sauce

Creative Ways to Enjoy Ripe Mango

If you've got a mango that's soft, fragrant, and sticky with sap, it's time to indulge. Ripe mangoes are quick to prepare and make for a delightful treat.

Spice up sliced mango with a zesty seasoning blend or chile sauce for a sweet and spicy bite. Add mango slices to fish tacos, chop it for a tangy salsa, or toss it into a refreshing fruit salad. Mangoes are also perfect for desserts like curds, cakes, and ice cream.

How to Use Unripe Mangoes

Even if you end up with unripe mangoes and don't feel like waiting for them to ripen, you can still enjoy them as they are. While ripe mangoes are known for their delicious sweetness, unripe ones offer a sour-tart flavor that's equally enjoyable.

The crunch of an unripe mango pairs beautifully with citrus juices, salty ingredients like fish sauce, or spicy additions such as chile sauce, making it a perfect match for dishes that need an extra texture boost.