Mangos will ripen naturally at room temperature, but you can speed up the process using a few simple tricks.
Ripening Mangos at Room Temperature
The simplest method is to leave your mangos at room temperature. This allows them to ripen slowly over several days, becoming sweeter and softer. Check them daily for ripeness.
Speeding Up the Ripening Process
To accelerate ripening, try these methods:
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Paper Bag Method: Place the mangos in a paper bag at room temperature. The bag traps ethylene gas, a natural plant hormone that promotes ripening. This is the most recommended method.
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Adding Other Fruits: Include other ethylene-producing fruits like apples, bananas, or avocados in the paper bag with the mangos. This will further increase the concentration of ethylene gas and speed up the ripening process.
Recognizing a Ripe Mango
Here's how to tell when a mango is ripe:
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Slightly Soft to the Touch: Gently squeeze the mango. A ripe mango will yield slightly to pressure, similar to a ripe peach or avocado. Avoid squeezing too hard, as this can bruise the fruit.
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Fragrant Aroma: A ripe mango will have a sweet and fruity aroma near the stem end.
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Color Changes: While color can be an indicator, it's not always reliable. Some mango varieties remain green even when ripe. Pay attention to the feel and smell first. For mangoes that do change color, they'll typically transition from green to yellow, orange, or red, depending on the variety.
Storing Ripe Mangos
Once your mangos are ripe, transfer them to the refrigerator to slow down the ripening process and extend their shelf life. Ripe mangos can typically be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days.
