How to tell if a mango is off or gone bad?
A bad mango will have the softest and mushy texture and an over-exaggeration of any dark spots or bruises. Apart from that, it might begin to bubble, release an alcohol-like or sour scent and show evidence of mold.
Mangoes are a delicious tropical fruit that is delicious as a whole, in shakes, juices, smoothies, or your favorite meals.
They’ve been around for a long time, and are offered in more than 500 kinds in different parts of the world.
Low in calories, and are packed with vital nutrients, especially vitamin C. It helps to boost immunity and increase growth.
Like all fruits, they have a finite time to live and are susceptible to spoilage when not properly stored and consumed within a set period.
If you’ve never tried mango previously, it might be difficult to know if it’s overripe or ripe, or is rotten. It is good to know that there are easy methods to know whether a mango is rotten and avoid another unpleasant encounter.
Find out how to differentiate the difference between a perfectly ripe mango and an overripe one, and also how you can keep them in the refrigerator to extend their shelf time:
Signs of An Overripe Mango
The most obvious methods to determine whether the mango is rotten include changes in texture appearance, smell, and color.
In determining the ripeness of fruit, the first thing to look at is the way it feels when you hold it. If it is comfortable to the touch, but the color isn’t yet there Don’t be confused and think it’s ripe.
Texture
To determine how the mango’s texture is, grasp the mango at its top and close to the stem by using your fingers. Use gentle pressure to determine the softness of the mango.
If the mango spits out a small amount of juice, it is perfect and ready to be eaten. If a slight pressure pierces the mango and it becomes overripe, then it’s too ripe.
It is also important to know that mangoes that are ripe typically develop wrinkles on their skin. As they grow older and start to deteriorate and the wrinkles begin to get more severe and begin to be a huge part of the mango.
To verify wrinkles you can gently apply your fingers to the mango’s surface and then feel the skin for any strange symptoms.
Appearance
Some speckles and brown spots are normal for mangoes. In reality, they can be a sign that the mangoes are in good condition and ready for eating.
The issue arises when they create large black spots that persist throughout the entire.
If you notice an oozing of liquid from the skin that has been damaged the best option is to dispose of this mango. Additionally, the presence of mold is a major indication that your mango isn’t good and you know precisely what to do about this mango ( throw it out).
Additionally, when you slice an unripe mango you’ll see the inside of the mango is soft to the touch and is a distinct shade of darker brown in comparison to other mangoes that are fully ripe.
Smell
The scent of the mango is an excellent indicator of how mature this fruit is. The most effective way to test the scent is to take an excellent sniff near the stem, as the scent is strongest in that area and can provide a clearer picture of the way the mango smells.
If you smell an intense, fruity, and sweet scent, the most likely the mango is completely ripe to the ideal stage to be consumed.
But, if it gives the impression of being slightly pungent, it’s evident that the mango’s overripeness and rotting.
The reason mangoes have such a strong smell when they begin to spoil it is because of the sugar content high in the fruit that causes them to ferment naturally. This is why the flavor of an overripe mango is likely to be as bad as it smells.
Color
Mangoes can be found in various colors that range from green to yellow red, orange, and purple. What color of a mature mango is determined by the kind of mango is used.
As we have mentioned that there are more than 500 varieties of mangoes available across the globe and they all have an individual color once they are ready for eating.
Certain varieties could remain green when they’re ripe while others can turn bright orange or deep yellow when they are ready.
So, you must not just rely on the hue of the mango to determine ripeness, and only use it as an indicator for backup.
How Long Will Mangoes Last?
Like all fresh fruit, can be perishable and have a short shelf lifespan. The length of time they can remain in your kitchen is contingent on the degree of ripeness.
If you have a mango that is not ripe dependent on the kind of fruit and the stage at which it’s at, the fruit could take up to 1-7 days for it to fully ripen.
A grape that is entirely green and hard will take longer to mature than the one already showing yellow tints and is softening slightly.
If you have a mature mango you can anticipate it to last at least five days in the refrigerator when stored correctly. There may be some extra days if your mango was not completely ripe when it was stored in the fridge.
For a perfectly ripe mango that is cut into slices or cubes, it will last for a few days in the refrigerator too. However, keep in mind that fresh fruits are more durable than fruits that have been peeled, or chopped into chunks.
How Do You Keep Mangos In Storage?
When it comes to correctly conserve mangoes it is all dependent on whether they’re mature or not.
For mangoes that aren’t ripe, It is recommended to keep them at temperatures of room temperature. You can put them in a plastic bag or just set them by the countertop in a basket.
Whatever you choose, ensure that there isn’t direct sunlight in the place where they are.
The technique of the paper bag is especially beneficial if you want to accelerate the process of ripening. It aids in trapping the ethylene gas created by the mango, which helps with maturing fruits.
In order to speed up the process more, you can choose any other vegetable or fruit that releases ethylene gas and place it into the bag along with the mangoes.
It is possible to use tomatoes, avocados, bananas, and apples to accomplish this. Make sure you check the mangoes on a regular basis every day or two.
Because mangoes continue ripening in the room, after they’re fully mature, it is recommended to keep them in the refrigerator where they can be stored for between 5 and 14 days.
To store mangoes cut and diced ensure that you keep them in a sealed container that is airtight and keep them in the refrigerator for a few days.
Interesting Facts & Questions
After we’ve covered the various ways to determine the ripeness of your mangoes or that have become rotten and are in a bad state, let’s look at a few questions about the subject!
Can You Freeze Mangoes?
Yes, you can. There are plenty of frozen mangoes at the grocery store and there’s no reason why you could not do it by yourself.
If you’d like to preserve your mangoes for longer it’s easy to put them into the freezer and they’ll last at least 6 months. Here’s how:
- Wash peel and slice your mangoes in cubes, pieces or strips according to your preference and the method you intend to use the mangoes after the defrosting.
- Make sure you have a baking sheet that is lined with a silicon mat, parchment paper or any other shallow dish. Place your mango slices on top so to ensure that they do not touch one another.
- Place the dish or sheet into the freezer for a minimum of a night, to allow the mangoes to set up.
- When the mangoes have been frozen, put them in freezer bags and seal them up tightly and remove any air that is possible and label the date on them to be used in the future.
Can You Eat Overripe Mangoes?
The overripe mangoes might not be the most attractive but they can be eaten when they’re a bit older than their best.
It is all about individual preference. What might be too sweet for one person may be perfect for another.
It is important to know that mangoes that are overripe and mango that’s been rotten are two different things. A little overripe mango is great in smoothies, in a puree for desserts, and in the making of delicious mango jam, or Chutney.
Test your taste before using the overripe mangoes in recipes. If any part of the mango has become overripe in a way that you don’t like You can remove it and make use of the remainder of the fruit.
Make sure to avoid mangoes that are mushy and those with obvious black or brown marks. Also, oozing liquids and growing mold is a major no and a clear sign of a mango that has gone bad.
