To buy delicious mangoes, you need to know how to choose them. Here are some useful tips:
Choosing by the skin
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For ripe mangoes: Pick ones with an even golden-yellow color. The flesh near the stem should be firm, not mushy or wrinkled, and the stem area should sink slightly into the fruit. A good mango will have smooth, taut skin without rough patches or small dark bruises.
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For green mangoes: Choose firm fruits with a whitish bloom on the skin and a deep green color. Avoid green mangoes that feel soft, as they were picked too early to prolong storage. These usually taste bland, lack fragrance, and have mushy flesh
Smell the Aroma
You can tell if a mango is delicious by its fragrance. Naturally ripe mangoes, free from preservatives, have a sweet, rich aroma at the stem and contain essential oils. A truly ripe and sweet mango gives off a pure, gentle, yet distinctive scent — one that is instantly recognizable and tempting, making you want to eat it right away.
If a ripe mango has no fragrance, or if the smell is unnatural or chemical-like, it won’t taste good — so you should avoid choosing it.
Look at the Shape
When selecting mangoes, choose ones with a longer, slender body. These typically have more flesh and a smaller, thinner seed. By contrast, mangoes that are rounder and fuller at the bottom usually contain a larger, thicker seed and less flesh.
Many people mistakenly believe that plump, round mangoes are meatier, but in fact, the slimmer, elongated ones are usually tastier.
Check for Spots
After considering the color, you should also look at the mango’s skin for any spots or blemishes. Naturally ripe mangoes may have a few small, bright specks on the surface — this is normal and does not affect the quality of the flesh.
However, if the fruit has many large black spots, it’s best not to buy it. These mangoes have usually been stored for too long, and the flesh inside may already be spoiled. For the best quality, choose mangoes with no spots or only very few.
