There may be just enough room in your refrigerator to squeeze in a few of the fresh mangos you just picked up at the store, but this time you will not let them get pushed to the back and forgotten about. One way to make sure of that is to consider what is taking up room in your fridge that may be unnecessary. Contrary to popular belief there is a long list of fruits that don’t actually need to be kept cold.
Oftentimes many tropical fruits can actually be left out on the counter or in the pantry depending on what stage of ripeness the fruit may be. So if you are like many who are uncertain why the shelf life of their favorite fruits are so bad, then stick around to find out the perfect way to not only store mangos but also pick out the best mangos.
It Starts At The Store
Picking out the perfect mango for your morning smoothies doesn’t have to be a nightmare, and it also doesn’t always have to be frozen either. In fact, fresh fruit can make the whole thing taste more like a treat than a thrown together breakfast. When picking out a mango it is important to take note of a few things. The weight of the mango is important, it should feel a tad heavy for the size.
Next take the shape into consideration. Looking for a mango that is plump and not flat on one side is the most ideal. If it has a more flat side, it is more likely to be stringy consistency on the inside. The color is a little less important because there are hundreds of different mango varieties, ranging from more green to yellow and red. A great way to also tell if you have picked a good mango is if you smell a slightly fruity aroma when holding it close.
Judging the mango by its red coloring is not the best indication of its ripeness. A ripe mango has a more yielding but not mushy flesh. It is important to note that most options from the store are hard and unripe mangos. This is why where you are storing mangoes are important. If you are looking for a mango to eat right away, search for a slightly more tender one.
Storing and Ripening Mangoes
Like mentioned before, the mangos that you buy fresh at the store are usually not ready to eat right away. This is because the supplier wants to make sure that the fruit is not rotten by the time the consumer receives it. If you eat a mango that is not ripe, it will be bland and not sweet and juicy. However, the ripening process is simple so there is no reason to fret.
Once you have picked out your mango, one that is plush and not flat, the type of bag or container you keep it in will determine how long it will last. Though many believe they must keep their fruits in a fridge, that is not always the best place to keep them. When the fruit is kept out and can ripen at room temperature, they become sweeter and softer. If you are planning to eat it right away and it is not yet ripe, keeping it in a paper bag will help the ripening process speed up.
This is because you are trapping ethylene gas in place, which in return speeds up the process. This can also be done with avocados too. However, if you are looking to eat your mango in a few days, and it is not quite ripe yet, keeping it in a plastic bag will help it ripen at a normal pace.
Storing Cut Mangos
If you have finally cut into a juicy mango but don’t want to eat all of it, that’s okay. Storing the fruit is easy. It is vital that it is kept in an airtight container and stored in the fridge. Once the fruit is cut, you want to slow the ripening process way down. The only way to do that is by bringing the temperature around it down. Storing in the fridge once cut will help the fruit last longer. The smallest amount of air that touches it the better. This is why the airtight container is necessary. You can leave it in the fridge for a few days and come back to still enjoy a delicious mango.
Mangos are one of the few fruits that you can leave out as a decoration or to just achieve the best flavor possible. There are endless mango recipes from smoothies to ice cream and salsa. So ditch the fridge and store the whole mango on the counter as decoration while it reaches its desired ripeness. Ripe fruit makes for the best recipes and includes many nutrients and loads of vitamin C. Declutter your fridge of the table fruits and enjoy the strong mango taste in your next meal.