Easy & Creative Ways to Cut & Enjoy a Ripe Mango

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From breakfast to dessert, mango is a fruit you’ll love all day long
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Mangos are indigenous to Southeast Asia, but they’re enjoyed all over the world. They can be eaten as a sweet and delicious snack or as the perfect addition to any meal. Before you reach for that juicy mango you’ve been eyeing for days, keep reading for a breakdown on how to eat this popular fruit. Plus, expert tips from personal chefs, Andrea Lawson Gray and Markeicha Dulaney, for an enhanced mango-eating experience.

How to Eat a Mango

First, make sure the mango is ripe by pressing on it; it should give without being mushy. Then, wash it and cut it into cubes or slices. Cubed mango can be enjoyed on its own, as a topping on yogurt, salad, or even in a burrito. Sliced mango can be used in desserts or dried and seasoned with spices like tajin for tang.

Section 1 of 4:

How to Remove the Skin and Cut the Mango

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  1. If you push your fingers into it and they leave a dent, then the mango is ready to eat. Use the same method as you would to tell if an avocado or pear is ripe. Lawson says, “It should be soft but not mushy.”
    • If you touch the mango and it remains firm, Dulaney suggests the following: “You should definitely store it in a dark, cool place, preferably a paper bag. It will help ripen them up.”
    • If you eat an unripe mango, the texture will be hard and the taste bitter. You don't want to waste a good mango— especially as they can be expensive.
  2. Take the mango to the sink and run cool water over it, gently scrubbing the skin with your fingers. The mango should be clean even if you plan on peeling the skin. If you’re planning to slice up or use a bunch of mangoes, wash them all in a big bowl filled with water. [1]
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  3. 3
    Peel off the skin. Lawson believes the most efficient way to slice a mango is to “peel [the skin] and cut parallel to the large seed inside.” One easy way to peel a mango is by using a vegetable peeler — the same one you’d use to peel a potato or carrot. Secure a firm grip on your mango and then use the peeler lengthwise, peeling from top to bottom until the mango is stripped of its entire outer layer.
    • Alternatively: peel the skin from a mango like you would a banana. Make a small cut at the top. Next, peel off the skin, eat a portion of fruit separated from the skin, and continue to peel and rotate as you eat your way down the mango.
    • Another option: use the side of a large-mouthed glass cup. Slice the mango in half. Then, press the halved mango against the rim of the glass to help separate the skin from the mango. [2]
  4. 4
    Cut the peeled mango into halves or thirds. Once your mango is peeled, set it on your cutting board and cut lengthwise or vertically. When you cut the mango , avoid the large pit in the middle, which is in the shape of a large almond. The pit is hard to cut through, which is how you’ll know when your knife has hit it. With a pairing knife , slice two halves away from the center pit, and then slice around the pit to make sure you carve out all of that luscious mango flesh.
    • If you choose not to peel off the skin, you can pick up the sliced wedges by the skin and eat them at this point.
      • You can try to eat some of the loose skin around the pit, but don't eat the skin too close to the pit because it can be stubborn and will get stuck in your teeth.
    • After slicing, you can cube the pieces of mango with a knife and eat them that way. Or you can use a spoon to scoop out the mango flesh.
  5. After your mango is cut into large pieces, cut each of the pieces vertically. Then, make horizontal cuts to create a checkered pattern. Do this carefully, so you don’t cut through the skin. Grasp the skin on the back of the half and push it forward so the cubed chunks pop out. [3]
    • This should make the piece of mango look like a flower or a hedgehog, which is why it’s sometimes referred to as the hedgehog method.
    • Pull out the mango chunks. If they don't come off, use a knife to slice them off into a bowl or a spoon to scrape them off.
    • Storage tips: Mango is best enjoyed fresh, but if you want to save some of it for later, store it in Tupperware in the fridge. [4] Mango stored in the fridge usually lasts 5-7 days, and frozen mango can last up to 6 months.
      • Dulaney also suggests only slicing up the half of the mango that you’re planning to eat part of it. Then, wrap the other half tightly with plastic or Saran wrap for optimal storage in the fridge.
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Section 2 of 4:

How to Serve Mango

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  1. Place the mango in a bowl, grab a spoon, and enjoy! Mangoes are loaded with nutrients in a low-calorie package. One cup of mango contains 99 calories and 2.6 grams of fiber, along with vitamin A, C, E, folate, and potassium. It also helps in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. Maybe the saying should be, “A mango a day keeps the doctor away.” [5]
    • Add a touch of lemon or lime juice to the mango for zest.
    • Add the mango to yogurt, overnight oats , or chia seed pudding for a burst of freshness.
  2. Cubed mango can be a fantastic addition to any fruit salad. If you don't want the salad to be overwhelmed by mango juice, drain the mango chunks before adding them to the salad. Here are some suggestions for making a delicious mango salad: [6]
    • Make a salad with papaya, apples, and cantaloupe.
    • Make a salad from mangoes and pineapples. Add a pinch of cinnamon for flavor.
    • Make a salad of mangoes, pears, and a few cherries sliced in half.
    • Eat a salad of mangoes and oranges with a touch of lime juice.
  3. Though you may think mangoes work best in fruit salads and desserts because of their sweet and juicy flavor, they can add a perfect kick to almost any main course. Here are a few examples of ways to use mango chunks in main courses: [7]
    • Create mango salsa with papaya, avocado, a little bit of lemon juice, and some cilantro.
    • Put the salsa over chicken, beef, or shrimp, or scoop it up with potato chips or plantain chips.
    • Put cubes of mango in a burrito for a tropical twist on a Mexican favorite.
    • Use mango in Caribbean rice or any other number of Caribbean dishes.
    • To make an Indian chutney, dice up the cubed mango and cook down with sugar and vinegar, adding spices like ginger, garlic, cumin, and chillies. [8]
  4. Mangoes are naturally sweet and work well in many desserts, from tarts to mousses to pies. It works in harmony with other fruit, especially tropical fruit like coconut and pineapple. Here are some suggestions that are sure to impress at your next potluck: [9]
    • Make a mango icebox cake, layered with cookies and ice cream. [10]
    • Make Thai-inspired mango sticky rice with coconut milk.
    • Make a mango flan for a ticket to the Caribbean.
  5. Though cubed mango is a bit more versatile, fresh sliced mango can spice up many ordinary meals, from desserts to main courses. In fact, some very fancy desserts, like a mango trifle or mango galette, employ sliced mangoes, so you’ve already done a good chunk of the work— pun intended! Make the most of your sliced mango by adding it to the following foods: [11]
    • Thai mango salad
    • Sweet and spicy chicken
    • Chicken with lime and cilantro
    • Beef teriyaki
    • Mango, corn, and black bean stew
    • Mango and pineapple pie
  6. 6
    Puree mangoes to make delicious beverages. Whether your mango drink of choice is a smoothie, a frozen mango margarita, or even an Indian-inspired mango yogurt drink , pureeing the mango is an essential step. When pureeing mangoes, add the blended fruit to just about anything you want. Impress your guests by creating a trail of puree on the plate underneath their dessert, or treat them with a tall glass of sweet mango juice— straight from the source.
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Section 3 of 4:

How to Dry Sliced Mango

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  1. Just follow your dehydrators directions for use. If you don't have a dehydrator , you can also use an oven set to a low temperature. Preheat your oven to 175-200°F (79-93°C). Then, lay your sliced mangoes on a sheet tray. You can opt to add some seasonings at this stage or let their natural flavor shine. Then, bake until “dry,” for about 2-5 hours, flipping the slices regularly. [12]
    • For a sour tang, mix the pieces in a ziplock bag with li hing mui powder, or a small amount of citric acid.
    • Other flavorings include tajin, salt and vinegar, and shredded coconut. [13]
Section 4 of 4:

Can you eat a mango with the skin on?

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  1. Yes, although you may not enjoy its unpleasant taste and texture. Mangoes are in the drupe, or stone fruit, family, alongside peaches and plums. However, the skin of a mango is chewy and bitter, unlike that of its cousins, and therefore not particularly enjoyable to eat. Still, mango skin is nutritious, rich in fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins, and it can be served in other unique ways that help tame its harsh taste, like in smoothies or teas. [14]
    • Mangoes are also related to poison ivy and poison oak, and mango skins contain the same irritating, hive-inducing chemical called urushiol.
    • If you have had a brush with poison ivy or poison oak and have a known allergic reaction to them, don’t consume any mango skin. If possible, try not to even touch it too much!
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  • Question
    Can you just bite into a mango?
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    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
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    You can bite straight into a mango, provided the skin is washed but it’s best to avoid eating the peel because it’s tough and doesn’t taste very nice. Also, it may cause an allergic reaction due to its urushiol content. If you want to bite into the mango and enjoy the flesh, cut away some of the peel first, then enjoy eating the exposed flesh down to the peel but discard the peel (and also avoid the pit).
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  • Question
    What happens if you eat a mango, then drink water right after?
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    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
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    Normally, nothing much happens, other than the commencement of digestion. However, some people find that drinking water after eating fruit can cause a queasy feeling. If this happens to you, it can sometimes help to hold off drinking water for half an hour to an hour after consuming fruit. Stories about fruit and water causing flatulence and pain are a myth in most cases.
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  • Question
    Is it okay to eat green mangoes?
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    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Yes, it is okay to eat green or unripe mangoes in small amounts and scientific studies have even shown certain benefits can be found in unripe mangoes, such as helping improve digestion and constipation, helping with gastrointestinal problems and overcoming minor dehydration. You can also use green mangoes to cook with, such as adding to a stir-fry or making pickled mango, salsa or a green mango chutney (this last one is especially well known in India). If you want to ripen them though, check out the wikiHow: How to Ripen Mangoes .
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/7-tips-cleaning-fruits-vegetables
      2. ↑ https://www.delish.com/kitchen-tools/kitchen-secrets/a20143097/how-to-cut-a-mango/
      3. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/food-network-essentials/how-to-cut-a-mango
      4. ↑ https://fridge.com/blogs/news/how-long-do-mangoes-last-in-the-fridge
      5. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/mango-benefits
      6. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/slideshow/mango-recipes
      7. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/slideshow/mango-recipes
      8. ↑ https://www.daringgourmet.com/indian-mango-chutney/
      9. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/slideshow/mango-recipes
      1. ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/gallery/mango-dessert-recipes/
      2. ↑ https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/mango-recipes
      3. ↑ https://simplybakings.com/dried-mango/
      4. ↑ https://thevintagecook.com/dehydrated-mango/
      5. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/can-you-eat-mango-skin-7969360

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Before eating a mango, make sure it’s ripe. It should feel a bit soft when you squeeze it, but not squishy. Rinse the mango, then slice it in half with a sharp knife. You’ll need to peel or cut the flesh of the mango away from the large, hard pit in the middle. Cut the flesh into cubes or slices and peel or slice off the skin. Enjoy the mango by itself or incorporate it into your favorite dessert. Keep reading the article if you want to learn how to dry mango slices to eat later!

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