Mango

Selection

Can be picked at different stages of maturity depending on the intended use or preference. Select fruits that are wholesome, firm, and free of bruises or blemishes. Ripe mangoes should have a sweet, fresh mango smell. The color of the skin turns from green to a yellowish, orange or red when ripe as fruit becomes soft. It is best to pick half-ripe fruit and complete the ripening at room temperature.

Storage

Store half-ripe fruits in a well-ventilated place at room temperature. Prevent bruising by covering with a cloth on shelves (Darley, 1993; Parkinson, 1989). Sliced or pureed mango flesh can also be frozen until ready to use or preserved by drying or bottling (Malolo et al., 2001).

Preparation

• Wash well before use.
• Can be eaten with the skin, more so when the fruit is still young, but are usually peeled once ripe.
• To prepare ripe mango without peeling, slice off the ‘cheeks’ and the two narrow sides with a knife. Make a few lengthwise cuts, or cubes, in the flesh without cutting the skin and peel the skin back from the flesh or push the center of the skin for the flesh to pop up.
• Flesh can be peeled, cubed, pureed, and grated for intended use.
• Ripe mangoes can be used in drinks, salads, jam, bread or cooked desserts.
• Green mangoes can be added to curries, salads, chutneys, or pickled.
• Be careful not to get the sap on skin as it is caustic.
• (Darley, 1993; Malolo et al., 2001)

Photo Source

Hawaiifoods