How to Store Ripe & Unripe Mangoes

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Plus, find out if mangos should really be refrigerated or not
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Sweet and tangy—there’s something so delicious about mangoes! But how do you best store this tropical fruit? Does it belong in the fridge or freezer? In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of how to best store ripe and unripe mangoes. We even talked to chefs Markeicha Dulaney and Andrea Lawson Gray to bring you the best mango cutting and ripening advice.

How do you store mangoes?

If mangoes are ripe, store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If mangoes are unripe, store them in a paper bag or on the counter at room temperature until ripened. For long-term storage, cut the mango into pieces, place them in a freezer bag, and store it in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Section 1 of 7:

How to Store Ripe Mangoes

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  1. Once mangoes are ripe, you can put them in the refrigerator to help prevent them from spoiling. Place them in a bowl or the fruit section of your fridge. Fresh mangoes can last at least 5 days in the refrigerator. [1]
    • For ideal freshness, keep the internal temperature of your fridge around 40°F (4°C). [2]
  2. 2
    Store ripe, cut mangoes in the fridge in an airtight container. As Dulaney explains, once a mango is cut, the fruit will start to oxidize (or turn brown). This is a natural process, but it can make the fruit look unpleasant. To prevent this, Dulaney recommends storing pieces of cut mango in an airtight container, or only cutting the amount of mango you need, and then wrapping the rest of the whole fruit in Saran Wrap before refrigerating.
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Section 2 of 7:

How to Store Unripe Mangoes

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Store Mangoes
    Room temperature storage helps unripe mangoes retain their flavor without spoiling too fast. [3] Dulaney recommends storing mangoes in a dark place (like a closet, pantry, or drawer) or paper bag to help them ripen naturally.
    • Add a banana to the paper bag to help the mango ripen even faster. [4]
    • If you don’t have a paper bag, place your mangoes in a ventilated container in a dark space.
    • Check on your mangoes every 2 days until they are ripe. Depending on when you bought your mangoes, they can take up to 8 days to ripen.
  2. 2
    Alternatively, set unripe mangoes on the counter at room temperature. Unripe mangoes can be stored on your kitchen counter. Simply place them in a fruit bowl and let them naturally ripen in your home. [5]
    • Mangoes take around 5 days to fully ripen on the counter.
    • Avoid putting unripe mangoes in the refrigerator or in direct sunlight, as this could stop their ripening process. [6]
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Section 3 of 7:

How to Freeze Mangoes for Long-Term Storage

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  1. Cut mangoes into cubes or slices to freeze . Have a ripe mango but don’t want to enjoy it just yet? Try freezing it! Cut the mango into smaller pieces so they’ll freeze evenly. Aim to make the pieces small enough that you can keep them in a plastic freezer bag or container. [7]
    • Gray recommends cutting the mango parallel to its large seed, then scoring the flesh from the skin into small cubes using the tip of a knife.
    • Most people peel the skin off mangoes when freezing, but this isn’t absolutely necessary. The only difference is that the mangoes may take longer to freeze and thaw.
    • Try using a potato cutter or apple peeler if you’re not comfortable peeling mango skin with a knife.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Store Mangoes
    Once your fruit is cut up, place the flesh inside the container you’d like to freeze it in. Layer the mango as flat as possible, as this will help the fruit freeze evenly. [8]
    • If you’re using a plastic freezer bag, push out as much air as possible from the bag before you seal it.
  3. Set the bag or container inside your freezer as flat as possible. Avoid setting the bag or container vertically or sideways, as this could cause the fruit to freeze unevenly. [9]
    • Make sure your freezer is consistently at or under 0°F (-18°C) to keep your food fresh.
  4. Take your mangoes out of the freezer and let them thaw in the fridge. Once the cubes soften, you can enjoy a healthy snack! [10]
    • Similarly, you can also enjoy frozen mangoes in smoothies, juices, or purees without thawing!
    • Black spots on frozen mangoes are a sign of freezer burn. The mangoes are still safe to eat, but their texture and taste may be off.
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Section 4 of 7:

How can you tell if a mango is ripe?

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  1. The ripeness of mangoes can be determined by their firmness and smell. Unripe mangoes are hard, sturdy, and don’t have a noticeable scent. Ripe mangoes are soft (but not so soft that they are mushy) and have a fruity, pleasant smell. [11]
    • Unlike most fruit, the color of mangoes does not matter when it comes to ripeness.
Section 5 of 7:

How long do mangoes last?

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  1. Mangoes typically last at least 5 days. Once ripe and refrigerated, a mango can last in the fridge for at least 5 days. [12] The typical shelf life is of a mango is around 7 to 14 days; however, this varies depending on the ripeness of the mango and how it’s stored. [13]
    • This is why it’s better to eat or freeze your ripe mangoes right away—you never know just how long they’ll last.
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Section 6 of 7:

How can you tell if a mango has gone bad?

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  1. Mangoes that have gone bad won’t smell sweet or be pale yellow or orange in color. Instead, they’ll have a foul, sour smell and/or have black skin or brown discolored flesh. Rotten mangoes are also incredibly soft and have a mushy consistency. [14]
    • Mangoes typically go bad after around 6 days of ripening.
    • If you’re not sure if a mango is bad, cut it open. A mango with brown flesh should be thrown out immediately.
Section 7 of 7:

FAQs

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  1. 1
    Should mangoes be refrigerated? Ripe mangoes can be refrigerated, although it’s not necessary. Unripe mangoes shouldn’t be refrigerated, as it can slow the ripening process. [15]
  2. 2
    How do you eat a mango? Eat the flesh of the mango as-is for a sweet treat, place pieces of the fruit on top of salads or yogurt bowls, or blend the fruit into a creamy puree, tropical smoothie , or refreshing juice .
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do you store half of a mango?
    Markeicha Dulaney
    Personal Chef
    Chef Markeicha Dulaney is a Personal Chef and Founder of Sweet Monáe Personal Chef Services in 2015 in South Florida. She has over 22 years of experience in the kitchen and provides customizable menus to meet the dietary needs, taste preferences, style, and budget of each client. She also specializes in weekly in-home chef services, all-inclusive pro-chef services, boutique catering, and pantry organizing services. She was featured in The Knot's "Table for Two" YouTube episodes and has also been featured in Real Simple Magazine article on "What routines save you the most time.” Chef Markeicha Dulaney graduated with an Associate's Degree from the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute of Culinary Arts and is a longtime member of the USPCA (United States Personal Chef Association).
    Markeicha Dulaney
    Personal Chef
    Expert Answer
    Peel and cut the half of the mango that you plan on eating. Then, leave the other half unpeeled with the seeds intact. Wrap it up tightly with plastic wrap and keep it in the refrigerator so it stays fresh. Once you remove the skin, the mango will start oxidizing, which isn't going to be good.
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  • Question
    How long do mangoes stay fresh when peeled?
    Community Answer
    If you freeze them, they should be fine for a few months. If you don't freeze them and put them in the fridge, they will last about 1 week.
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  • Question
    When I put cubed mango in the refrigerator overnight, it turns black. How can I stop this from happening?
    Community Answer
    Mangoes oxidize just like apples. Once they have been cut, oxygen in the air interacts with the fruit and causes their color to change. It isn't bad for you, but it looks unappetizing. You can put it in a zip-lock bag and suck the air out of it to slow the process, or just eat it right after you cut it.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/what-are-ataulfo-mangoes-244242
      2. ↑ https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/refrigerator-thermometers-cold-facts-about-food-safety
      3. ↑ https://www.sbs.com.au/food/article/mangoes-dont-belong-in-the-fridge-the-fruit-hacks-you-need-to-know-this-summer/zvv7z8dy1
      4. ↑ https://www.montana.edu/extension/buyeatlivebetter/other_nep_resources/fact_sheets/howshouldistoremyfruitsandvegetables/index.html
      5. ↑ https://www.nbcnews.com/better/pop-culture/where-store-summer-fruit-how-use-them-when-they-re-ncna879776
      6. ↑ https://extension.purdue.edu/foodlink/includes/pubs/Storing+Fruits+and+Veggies.pdf
      7. ↑ https://www.doesitgobad.com/how-long-do-mangoes-last/
      8. ↑ https://www.taste.com.au/quick-easy/articles/how-to-freeze-grapes-mangoes-bananas/f7h49585
      9. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/the-right-temperature-for-your-freezer-quick-kitchen-facts-216070
      1. ↑ https://www.stilltasty.com/Fooditems/index/19109
      2. ↑ https://spoonuniversity.com/lifestyle/how-to-tell-if-a-mango-is-ripe-or-not
      3. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/what-are-ataulfo-mangoes-244242
      4. ↑ https://www.nbcnews.com/better/pop-culture/where-store-summer-fruit-how-use-them-when-they-re-ncna879776
      5. ↑ https://www.doesitgobad.com/how-long-do-mangoes-last/
      6. ↑ https://www.mango.org/ripening-and-storing-mangos/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      The best way to store mangoes depends on whether or not they're ripe and also how long you want to store them for. If your mangoes aren't ripe yet, keep them in a dark container or plastic bag at room temperature until they ripen. If your mangoes are already ripe, you can store them in the fridge for up to 6 days. For long-term storage, cut up the mangoes into slices or cubes, pack them in a freezer bag, and store them in the freezer up to 6 months. If you want to learn how to check your mangoes to see if they're rotten, keep reading the article!

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