How to Store Mangoes the Right Way, According to Fruit Pros

Heads up, tropical fruit lovers: Mango season is in full swing from May through September. If you want to make the most of this sweet treat (and we definitely think you should), you need to know how to store mangoes when they're unripe and hard—and once they've reached that magic moment of ripeness. Ahead, fruit pros weigh in on telltale signs of ripeness, the importance of proper storage, and how to savor every slice (or chunk, depending on your preference).

How to Tell If a Mango Is Ripe

While some fruits, like pineapples, are plucked at their peak, mangoes can be picked when they're still in the throes of ripening. "Mangoes continue to ripen off the tree, so proper storage at different phases ensures an optimal mango eating experience that is soft, juicy, and aromatic," says Desiree Pardo Morales, founder and president of Tropical Fruit Box, a Miami-based online purveyor that grows and procures tropical and exotic fruit.

Since you need to determine ripeness in order to know how to store it, here is how many cultivars reveal that they're ready for consumption:

Color change: "Some mango varieties are green-skinned and will turn a red blush once ripe," says Matthew Rendine, director of merchandising at Baldor Specialty Foods. "Other mangoes which are naturally more red than green, even when unripe, such as the popular Tommy Atkins variety, can be determined to be ripe by the touch." 

Touch and smell: A ripe mango not only gives slightly to pressure, but it also smells sweet and fruity, says Morales, while an unripe mango will be firm and not as fragrant.

How to Store Unripe Mangoes

Our experts agree that you should store unripe mangoes at room temperature. Mangoes should not be refrigerated before the fruit softens. "Storing mangoes colder than 45 degrees Fahrenheit will have an impact on the flavor of the fruit because the sugars will not develop," explains Rendine. Unripe mangoes need to be stored between 50 to 55 degrees—in a fruit basket on top of the counter is perfect, he says.

How long does it take for a mango to ripen? Mangoes take about five days to ripen on the counter.

Speeding Up Ripening

If you want to hasten the ripening pace, try one of these pro tricks:

• Place the mangoes near an indoor sunlit window as the sun quickens the ripening, says Morales.
• "Another common practice is to place mangoes in a brown paper bag, or in a bag of rice to speed up the ripening process," she says.
• When he uses the brown bag tip, Rendine adds a banana to move things along even faster.

How to Store Ripe Mangoes

Once ripe, mangoes should be stored in the fridge, where they will stay fresh for another five days. If stored whole, they may start to shrivel over time. "For convenience, mangoes can be stored already peeled and sliced or cubed in an airtight container," says Morales.

Avoid Storing Them With Delicate Produce

Mangoes (like bananas) emit ethylene, the gas that initiates the ripening process, so once they are ripe, they should be kept away from ethylene-sensitive produce. "If stored in a low humidity crisper drawer, you can store them on their own, or with other ethylene-producing exotic fruit, like tropical avocadoes, mangosteen, papaya, and passion fruit," says Morales. 

Handling Mangoes

Ripe mangoes have a soft exterior and should be handled gently. "Like an avocado, you want to avoid adding too much pressure to the fruit to avoid internal bruising," says Rendine. "Use the palms of your hands to feel the firmness or readiness of the fruit versus using your fingertips."

Spots and Mold

Black spots, adds Morales, are not necessarily a sign of bruising or age, but simply an imperfection. "If the discoloration is inside the skin, they should be discarded. If the flesh is intact, then these mangoes are great to use for smoothies," she says. Mold can occur at the tip, where the fruit was pulled from the tree, but if mangoes are kept dry, no mold will build up, says Rendine.

Long-Term Storage

If you want to brighten up your day with a mango feast months from now, no problem. "To get you past mango season, you can freeze precut mango for up to six months," says Morales. To prevent the pieces from clumping together, flash-freeze the mango before storage. Here's how:

1. Wash and dry the ripe mangoes.
2. Peel off the skin and cut the fruit (Rendine prefers chunks). 
3. Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper and spread out the fruit.
4. Cover the sheet with plastic wrap and freeze until solid.
5. Transfer the chunks to airtight freezer-sealed bags and freeze flat.

How to Enjoy Mangoes

"My favorite way to consume them is by either cutting them into chunks or simply cutting the fruit on its sides, around the seed, and eating them right out of my hand," says Rendine.

Morales adores mangoes on their own or mixed into an exotic fruit salad medley. "I also like to use it as a recipe enhancer for salsas and sauces that can be combined with meat, chicken, fish, or vegetarian-based dishes." And last, but certainly not least, mangoes are a welcome addition to cocktail hour, enhancing martinis, margaritas, and other libations with unforgettable flavor.