Selecting Fresh Mangoes

Shopping for a good mango is easy when you know what to look for – and feel for.

Perhaps the most important thing to know when selecting a mango in the store is that mangoes continue to ripen once harvested. Use your experience with produce such as peaches and avocados to help guide your choice, since these produce picks also become softer as they ripen.

Mango varieties come in a multitude of colors, shapes and sizes, so when you choose a mango, don't focus on color. Contrary to popular belief, the pretty red blush that appears on some varieties isn't an indicator of ripeness either.

Here are two more important considerations:

Texture

Squeeze the mango gently. A ripe mango will give slightly, a medium-ripe mango will be somewhat firm, and an unripe mango will be very firm to the touch. Mangoes can be enjoyed at all levels of ripeness. Mango flavor ranges from sour-tart for unripe mangos to naturally sweet for ripe mangos.

Scent

Ripe mangoes will sometimes have a fruity aroma at their stems, so don't be afraid to give your mango a whiff!