Mango is a delicious tropical fruit and even becomes irresistible when in season. If you bought a whole box of mangoes from the greengrocer or supermarket, it is important to store them well to make them last as long as possible. Since they are sensitive to temperature and environmental conditions, you need to take all necessary precautions to prevent them from spoiling quickly.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Store Mangoes for the Short Term
Step 1. Determine if the mangos are ripe
Use your touch and smell to see if they are still unripe or ready to eat. Unlike most other fruits, it is not possible to tell if a mango is ripe by color.
- If the mangoes are hard and don't have a distinct scent, it means they are still unripe.
- Once ripened, mangoes become soft and give off a pleasant, fruity scent. Be careful because if they are soggy, it means that the ideal time to eat them has already passed and they are going bad.
Step 2. Store the unripe mangoes in a closed container at room temperature
They must remain in the dark and at room temperature to mature and retain their flavor without going bad quickly. Choose a container that protects them from insects while still allowing air to pass through. Alternatively, you can use a bag.
Check the mangos every couple of days until they are ripe. It can take up to 7-8 days for them to reach full maturity, depending on how unripe they were when you bought them
Step 3. Store ripe mangoes in the refrigerator to help them retain their flavor
Once ripe, it is best to move them to a cold environment, for example inside the refrigerator.
- Ripe mangoes will keep good for up to six days if you store them in the cold.
- Store them at a temperature of about 4 ° C.
Step 4. Check the fruits from time to time to make sure they are not spoiling
As the days go by, mangoes may show the first symptoms of the passage of time. Make sure the pulp isn't getting soggy, that it doesn't smell bad, and the skin isn't turning black. If when opening a fruit you notice that the pulp has a faded color or is stained, throw it away.
If there are spots or discolored areas just on the peel, you can use the fruit to make a smoothie
Method 2 of 2: Storing Mangoes for the Long Term
Step 1. Cut the mangoes into slices or cubes to save space in the freezer
If you want to keep them so you can eat them all year round, it is best to peel them and cut them into small pieces to arrange them comfortably inside a bag for frozen foods.
- Most people prefer to peel mangoes before freezing them, but it's not strictly mandatory. However, keep in mind that if you don't peel them, the pulp will freeze and thaw more slowly
- You can peel mangoes with a knife or even easier with a vegetable peeler.
Step 2. Cut the mangoes and place them in freezer bags
The mango pieces don't have to overlap, so arrange them in a single layer. Before sealing the bag, squeeze it to let out as much air as possible.
Step 3. Place the bag in the freezer horizontally
Make sure it doesn't touch the freezer walls or the mangoes won't freeze evenly. Check that the temperature never rises above -18 ° C.
Step 4. Eat them within six months
When you're ready to use them, take them out of the freezer and let them thaw in the refrigerator. As soon as the pulp cubes have softened you can eat them or use them in the kitchen as you wish.
Any black spots on the pulp are the result of a cold burn. You will still be able to eat mangoes without taking any health risks, but the taste will most likely be affected
Advice
- Once thawed, you can use the mango cubes to enrich a salad, smoothie, cocktail, or to make ice cream or salsa.
- Also try dehydrating mangoes to make them last a long time.
