A mango is ripe when it exhibits these signs:
- Smell: It has a sweet, fruity aroma, especially near the stem. Unripe mangoes have little to no scent, while overripe ones may smell sour or fermented.
- Feel: The mango feels slightly soft to gentle pressure, yielding a little without being mushy. Hard mangoes are unripe, very soft or soggy ones are overripe.
- Look: Around the stalk, the flesh should appear firm and the stalk may protrude slightly. Though color varies by variety, ripe mangoes usually have a more intense color, but it's not the best sole indicator since mango varieties show different ripe colors.
- Additional indications: Ripe mango stems may drip sap causing dark spots called sap burn, which is a sign of ripeness.
To speed ripening, mangoes can be stored at room temperature, wrapped in newspaper, or placed near ethylene-producing fruits like apples or pears. In summary, ripe mangoes smell sweet, give slightly when squeezed gently, and show firm flesh near the stalk. They are ready to eat once these signs are present.
