Pay Attention to Color
When buying mangoes, you’ll come across golden yellow, greenish-yellow, or green ones. This is because mangoes become very soft when ripe, so they are usually picked when they are still unripe and transported before they are fully ripe. The greener ones will need more time to ripen, while the ones with a dull yellow color are likely old and should be avoided. Ripe mangoes will have a beautiful golden yellow color, with shiny and smooth skin, so look out for those!
Check for Black Spots on the Skin
When buying mangoes, you may notice some with bright yellow skin, but also some with black spots on the surface. According to mango sellers, ripe mangoes will have a few small black spots on the skin, which does not affect the quality of the mango flesh inside. In fact, mangoes with these small spots tend to be the sweetest and most flavorful.
However, if a mango has many large, rough black spots, it’s best not to buy it. These mangoes have likely started to rot and ferment to varying degrees, and are not safe to eat.
If you’re buying mangoes for a religious ceremony, choose the bright yellow ones or those with small, scattered black spots, and consume them within 1-2 days as they are at their prime ripeness and won’t last long.
Observe the Shape of the Mango
Mangoes typically come in two main shapes: those with a large, round top, usually with more flesh on the cheeks, and those with a longer, thinner body and less flesh. When choosing mangoes, go for the rounder ones with plump cheeks, as they will have more flesh.
Smell the Mango
Ripe mangoes have a very distinct and strong fragrance. If you can smell the sweet mango aroma just by holding the fruit, it’s likely ripe and ready to eat. On the other hand, if a mango is yellow but lacks fragrance, it may have been forced to ripen and won’t taste as good.
Test for Bounce
Gently press your finger into the mango. If it has a slight bounce, it’s a sign of a fresh and juicy mango with just the right amount of ripeness. If the mango feels hard, it’s not yet ripe and will taste sour. If it leaves a noticeable dent, it’s probably overripe and best to avoid.