Want to know how to eat a mango? Let’s dive into it….

Mangoes are often hailed as the king of fruits because of their worldly popularity. They aren’t just delicious but also incredibly nutritious. Their juicy sweetness and vibrant color make them a favorite fruit for many across the globe. If you’re new to enjoying mangoes or looking to enhance your mango-eating experience, check out this guide on how to indulge in this tropical delight as we answer all your burning mango questions!

How to Tell When a Mango is Ready To Eat

Knowing when a mango is ripe and ready to eat is essential for enjoying this tropical fruit . Below are some key indicators that will help you pinpoint when a mango is ripe and ready to eat:

Color: Look for a mango that has a rich, vibrant color. Depending on the variety, this can range from green to yellow, orange, or red when ripe. Avoid mangoes with a lot of green patches as they may not be fully ripe. But don’t fear, if you have an unripe mango, keep scrolling to see how to help ripen your mangoes.

Texture: Gently squeeze the mango. A ripe mango will give slightly under gentle pressure, similar to a ripe peach or avocado. However, it should not be mushy or overly soft.

Smell: Ripe mangoes typically have a sweet, fruity aroma around the stem end. If it smells fragrant and fruity, it’s likely ripe and ready to eat.

Firmness: The firmness of a mango can also indicate ripeness. A ripe mango will yield to gentle pressure without feeling too firm or too soft.

By considering these indicators, you can confidently select a ripe mango that promises a deliciously sweet and juicy eating experience.

Should I Refrigerate Mangoes?

Whether or not to refrigerate mangoes depends on their ripeness and how quickly you plan to eat them. If your mangoes are ripe and you intend to enjoy them within a day or two, it’s best to keep them at room temperature. This allows them to develop their full flavor and juiciness. 

However, if your mangoes are already ripe and you won’t be eating them right away, placing them in the refrigerator can help slow down further ripening and extend their shelf life for a few more days. Just remember to bring them back to room temperature before eating to enjoy their full tropical flavor. 

On the other hand, if your mangoes are still unripe and you want to ripen them more quickly, you can place them in a paper bag at room temperature.

How To Cut A Mango

The unique shape and large pit of a mango can make cutting them seem daunting. Fear not! Let us show you to confidently slice, dice, and enjoy your mango using the hedgehog method.

Position the Mango: Hold the mango vertically on a cutting board with the stem facing upwards and the wider sides facing left and right.

Locate the Pit: Mangoes have a flat, oval-shaped pit running vertically through the center. Your goal is to cut around this pit.

First Cut: Using a sharp knife, make a vertical slice just off-center, about ¼ inch away from the midline. Repeat on the other side, cutting along the other side of the pit. You should now have two large mango halves (the fleshy cheeks) and the middle section containing the pit.

Remove The Pit: Hold the middle section (containing the pit) vertically and slice off any remaining flesh along the sides of the pit. If there’s still flesh clinging to the pit, carefully slice off these edges to salvage as much mango as possible.

Score the Flesh: Take each mango half and create a grid-like pattern of cuts through the flesh, but without piercing through the skin. Make vertical cuts about ½ inch apart, followed by horizontal cuts in the opposite direction.

Remove the Cubes: Invert each mango half by pushing the skin upwards, which will pop out the cubes. Alternatively, you can use a spoon to scoop out the cubes into a bowl.

Did you know that you can cut a mango using a drinking glass? Watch this video to learn this simple trick.

Ways to Enjoy Mangoes

Mangoes are beloved around the world because of their sweet and juicy flavor. Whether you prefer them as a refreshing snack, a vibrant addition to salads, or as a key ingredient in desserts and savory dishes, here are several delightful ways to savor mangoes:

Fresh and Out of Hand: To enjoy the whole fruit, our first recommendation is that you eat it fresh in its purest form. Cut mango into slices or cubes and enjoy them as a healthy snack or dessert. Or you can enjoy it in a traditional Mexican style with this Mango on a Stick!

Smoothies: Blend mango with yogurt, milk, or juice for a creamy and refreshing smoothie. Try our Apricot & Mango Smoothie recipe (which also has a hidden veggie)!

Salsas and Slaws: Combine diced mango with red onion, cilantro, jalapeño, lime juice, and a pinch of salt for a vibrant mango salsa to pair with chips or grilled meats. Or add it to your favorite slaw to give your Taco Tuesday a whole new kick!

Salads: Mangoes add a sweet and tangy twist to any salad.

Desserts: Indulge in mangoes in decadent desserts. You can often find mango recipes with sorbets, puddings, mousse, and ice creams. With our mango cheesecake dip you get all the decadent flavors of homemade cheesecake mixed with the tropical flavor of mangoes. Your options are endless with desserts.

Cooked Dishes: Explore mangoes in savory dishes too. If you’ve not had grilled fruit, you may think it sounds a little odd. But one try is all it takes to fall in love. Grilling brings out the natural sugars in fruit, making for an intensely sweet treat.

Food Art: Looking for a fun and flavorful activity for your kids? We always say when trying new fruits and veggies, it’s ok to play with your food. Creating food art with mangoes will help enhance the kiddos to try something new.

Charcuterie and Grazing Boards: Mango slices or cubes are a perfect addition to any board for any occasion. Looking for something more individualized, like a jarcuterie? Create individual jars that are filled with all the ingredients you would normally place on a charcuterie board and make mangoes the star of your Jarcuteries.

More Recipes with Mangoes

• Thai Steak Noodle Salad
• Mango Walnut Smoothie
• Tropical Fruit Salad
• Avocado Mango Pico de Gallo
• Mango Agua Fresca

How do you enjoy eating manoges? Share your favorite recipes with us and tag us on Instagram.