Color is not the best indicator.
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I eyed mangoes warily the last time I went to the grocery store.
There are so many summery things you might do with them, but the fruit is a little daunting.
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Do you choose based on looks and color, or is it all about the squeeze?
If the fruit gives a little, it is probably ready to eat.
If one section is very soft, it probably fell and will be rotten in that spot."
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Squeeze the mango gently.
A medium-ripe mango will be a little firm, and an unripe mango will be very firm.
You want some give, but not mushy, says Wasielewski.
It is going to be very similar to an avocado.
Mangoes dont have to be completely ripe to be tasty.
They are like peaches in that they get softer as they ripen.
Underripe mangoes are firmer and tend to have a tart flavor that becomes sweeter as they become more ripe.
Can You Judge Ripeness By Color?
Depending on where you live, there could be more than a dozen different mangoes from which to choose.
Mangoes can be a rainbow of colors including yellow, orange, green, red, or purple.
Similar to an avocado, it may take a day or two to ripen fully.
If you want to speed up the process, put it in a paper bag.
Mangoes produceethylene, a gas that can cause some produce to ripen faster.
How long mangoes will stay at peak quality depends on how ripe they were when you brought them home.
If they were fully mature, maybe five to six days, says Wasielewski.
If not, they can go much longer.
You might also prefer the cool taste.
If you want mangoes at their freshest, time your shopping appropriately.
You will get a much, much, much better product.
