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How to Ripen Mangoes Fast (& Tell When They’re Ripe) Download Article Easy, natural ways to ripen mangoes at home 19 Recipe Ratings | Success Stories Co-authored by Andrea Lawson Gray and Aly Rusciano
Last Updated: May 25, 2025 Fact Checked
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Ripening a Mango
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How to Tell If a Mango is Ripe
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Storing Mangoes
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Mango Varieties
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Q&A
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This article was co-authored by Andrea Lawson Gray and by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano. Andrea Lawson Gray is a Private Chef and the Co-Founder of Private Chefs of the SF Bay. With more than ten years of experience, she specializes in Mexican cuisine and culinary history. Chef Andrea is also the author of Celebraciones Mexicanas: History, Traditions, and Recipes, an award-winning cookbook. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 954,772 times.
There’s nothing better than a juicy, sweet mango on a hot summer’s day! But if your mango isn't ripe yet, you may be in a pickle. Luckily for you, there are plenty of ways you can quickly ripen a mango so it’s ready to eat sooner. Take a look at the tricks below to learn how to ripen mangoes and tell when they’re ripe.
How do you ripen a mango?
The best way to ripen a mango fast is to place the unripe fruit in a paper bag overnight with other fruits, like apples and bananas. The fruits will release ethylene, an odorless gas that speeds up the ripening process.
Steps
Section 1 of 4:
Best Ways to Ripen a Mango Fast
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1 Ripen a mango in a paper bag or newspaper. Place the unripe mango in a paper bag or wrap it in newspaper. Then, leave it in the bag or wrapped up on the kitchen counter overnight. Check for ripeness in the morning.
Mangoes wrapped in a paper bag release ethylene, which is an odorless gas that speeds up the ripening process.
When wrapping mangoes in a paper bag or newspaper, be sure not to close the bag completely. Some air and gas must escape, or mold and mildew might start forming.
Add an apple or banana to the bag to speed up the ripening process even more. Adding more ethylene-emitting fruits increases the ethylene in the bag, giving you an even juicier mango quicker.
2 Submerge a mango in a bowl of uncooked rice or popcorn kernels. This old wives trick hails from India, where industrious moms hid unripe mangoes in bags of uncooked rice to speed up the ripening.[1]XResearch source In Mexico, the trick is much the same, but uses uncooked popcorn kernels are used instead of rice. This method usually helps mangoes ripen within a day or two.
Rice or popcorn helps trap ethylene gas around the mango, resulting in a much faster ripening process.
In fact, this method is so effective that you sometimes risk overripening. Check every 6 or 12 hours for doneness.
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3 Place a mango in the microwave for 10 seconds. While this isn’t the best way to ripen an unripe mango, it can work in a pinch. Simply use a fork or knife to carefully poke holes in the mango. Then, wrap the fruit in a paper towel and put it in the microwave for 10 seconds. Check the mango for ripeness. If it’s not ready, microwave in 10-second intervals until it is.[2]XResearch source
The mango is ready to eat when it’s slightly soft to the touch.
4 Set a mango on the kitchen counter at room temperature. For this method, you only need time and patience. Like other fruits, mangoes may take several days to ripen, but this is the most natural way to get your mango plump, juicy, and ready to eat. Use the mango when it is soft to the touch and has a strong fruity smell.
Advertisement Section 2 of 4:
How to Tell If a Mango is Ripe
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1 Smell the mango for a strong fruity aroma. Sniff the stem end of the mango. If it has a heavy, fruity, almost musky odor, it’s ripe. If you're struggling to find an aroma, chances are your mango isn't quite there yet.[3]XResearch source
2 Squeeze the mango to see if it’s soft. Professional chef Andrea Lawson Gray suggests checking the firmness of the mango to determine if it’s ripe. She says a ripe mango “should be soft but not mushy.”[4]X Expert Source Andrea Lawson GrayPrivate ChefExpert Interview
A ripe mango feels similar to a ripe peach or ripe avocado. If the mango feels firm, it is still unripe.[5]XResearch source
3 A ripe mango doesn’t have a specific color. Although most ripe mangoes are rich reds and burnt yellows, it depends on the variety, so they’re not always red and yellow. So, forget the look of mangoes when determining ripeness. Instead, use smell and softness as your guide.
4 Don't be scared away by a few black spots on the surface of the mango. Some people may think that mangoes that have a few splotchy, black blemishes on them are bad. While mangoes are notoriously susceptible to spoilage, black blotches don't necessarily mean the mango is bad. In fact, it may mean the mango has more sugar content.
If the black spots are especially soft, cut the mango open and look for translucent fruit. This is a sign of spoilage, and these mangoes should be thrown away.
Advertisement Section 3 of 4:
How to Store a Mango
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1 Place a whole mango in the refrigerator when it’s ripe. No wrap or container is necessary to store an unopened mango in the refrigerator. Simply clean the mango and place it in the fridge. Keeping the mango in the refrigerator helps slow down the ripening speed, so it’ll stay ripe longer and spoil slower. Typically, a whole ripe mango can last in the refrigerator for around 5 to 7 days.[6]XResearch source
Don't store a mango in the refrigerator before it has ripened. Like with all tropical fruits, refrigeration can halt the ripening process.[7]XResearch source
2 Peel and chop a ripe mango and store it in the fridge or freezer. Place a chopped, ripe mango into an airtight container. The cut fruit can last in the container in the refrigerator for a few days and in the freezer for as long as 6 months.[8]XResearch source
Advertisement Section 4 of 4:
Mango Varieties
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Variety
Appearance
Flavour
Haden
One of the more popular types of mango, the Haden, has smooth skin and the shape of a kidney bean
Full, sweet flavor
Van Dyke
Popular throughout Europe, the Van Dyke is smaller and has a small nipple on the tip of the fruit
Slightly spicy, not as rich as the prototypical mango
Kent
Large and heavy, this mango cultivar can weigh as much as 1 and 1/4 pounds (.5 kg)
Very tropical flavor
Ataulfo
Slightly oblong, almost resembling a cashew
Sweet, buttery, slightly acidic; the "champagne" of mangos
Tommy Atkins
Bright, deep skin; shaped like a Haden
Not as sweet as Haden, with medium fiber
Community Q&A
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Question How do you know when a mango is ready to be eaten? wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer There are several indicators that a mango is ready to be eaten. First, press the skin gently; it should give a little (if it gives too much, the mango is overripe and is best in a smoothie or used for deserts/baking). Second, the mango will smell sweet, fruity and delicious. Third, the color will no longer be green but will appear orange or red, or a combination in between (color on its own is not an indicator though - the other indicators must also be present). You’ll find more help here: How to Tell if a Mango is Ripe. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 1 Helpful 6
Question What kind of chemical is used to ripen mangoes? wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer Ethylene gas is the natural gas used to ripen mangoes. Placing an unripe mango in a paper bag will cause the mango to release ethylene naturally, helping it to ripen. In some countries, calcium carbide has been used to ripen bananas but it is now considered carcinogenic and causes a wide range of health problems––this, it is not suitable for ripening fruit intended for human consumption. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 5 Helpful 8
Question How do you store cut ripe mango slices to prevent darkening? wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer Once sliced, mango deteriorates quickly, so act quickly to stop it from browning. One method is to squeeze a fresh lemon and sprinkle the juice over the slices; the ascorbic acid will slow down the browning. Or, you could use ascorbic acid derived from a vitamin C tablet; just crush a 250g tablet and add to 1 cup ice water, then brush the mango slices with this. Freezing the slices will also stop them from browning. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 7 Helpful 5
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Co-authored by: Andrea Lawson Gray Private Chef This article was co-authored by Andrea Lawson Gray and by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano. Andrea Lawson Gray is a Private Chef and the Co-Founder of Private Chefs of the SF Bay. With more than ten years of experience, she specializes in Mexican cuisine and culinary history. Chef Andrea is also the author of Celebraciones Mexicanas: History, Traditions, and Recipes, an award-winning cookbook. This article has been viewed 954,772 times. 19 votes - 92% Co-authors: 23Updated: May 25, 2025 Views: 954,772 Categories: Fruits and VegetablesArticle SummaryX
To ripen mangoes, wrap them in a brown paper bag and leave them overnight, which will speed up the ripening process. You can also add an apple or banana to the bag to make the mangoes ripen even faster. If you don't have a paper bag, try submerging the mangoes in a bowl of uncooked rice or popcorn kernels overnight, which will also help them ripen sooner. If you're not in a rush, leave the mangoes out on a counter at room temperature and wait a few days for them to ripen. If you want to learn how to store fresh mango, keep reading the article!Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Reader Success Stories
Daniel Reinisch
Sep 29, 2016
"We didn't know about the "submerge the mango in rice" technique, and not only are we trying it to ripen our delicious mango quicker, but we learned some fun science about natural ethylene gas! We will try to write again to say how the mango turned out. A great father and daughter fun thing."..." more
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Did this article help you?
Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Andrea Lawson Gray Private Chef Co-authors: 23Updated: May 25, 2025 Views: 954,77292% of voters found this recipe helpful. 19 votes - 92% Click a star to add your vote
Daniel Reinisch
Sep 29, 2016
"We didn't know about the "submerge the mango in rice" technique, and not only are we trying it to ripen our delicious mango quicker, but we learned some fun science about natural ethylene gas! We will try to write again to say how the mango turned out. A great father and daughter fun thing."..." more
Toni Phillips
May 1, 2017
"I love mangoes, but didn't like buying them because it was hard for me to judge in the store if they were ripe or how to help ripen them. This article was awesome in helping me to do both things. Now I shall buy mangoes when in season all the time! Thank you kindly!"..." more Rated this article:
Anita Ruthman
Jun 6, 2016
"I will try putting the unripe mango pieces in honey water and see what happens. I never would have thought of that. I guess I'll leave this on the counter since it did not say where to put the mango while the "magic" is happening."..." more
Maurice Howell
Aug 21, 2016
"This was a very insightful article that covered different ways to ripen a mango. I learned about the rice/popcorn kernels ripening methods, and about how long to ideally keep a mango in a refrigerator/freezer after it is ripe."..." more
Julie Mendoza
Jul 11, 2017
"Received a large bag of mangoes as a gift and thanks to your good info I didn't lose even one. When they were ripe I stored in the refrigerator we enjoyed a week of wonderful mango recipes. Thank you!"..." more Rated this article: Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories
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Download Article Easy, natural ways to ripen mangoes at home 19 Recipe Ratings | Success Stories Co-authored by Andrea Lawson Gray and Aly Rusciano 
How toPick a Good Mango 
How toStore Bananas 
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Co-authored by: Andrea Lawson Gray Private Chef This article was co-authored by Andrea Lawson Gray and by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano. Andrea Lawson Gray is a Private Chef and the Co-Founder of Private Chefs of the SF Bay. With more than ten years of experience, she specializes in Mexican cuisine and culinary history. Chef Andrea is also the author of Celebraciones Mexicanas: History, Traditions, and Recipes, an award-winning cookbook. This article has been viewed 954,772 times. 19 votes - 92% Co-authors: 23 Updated: May 25, 2025 Views: 954,772 Categories: Fruits and Vegetables Article SummaryX
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1 Ripen a mango in a paper bag or newspaper. Place the unripe mango in a paper bag or wrap it in newspaper. Then, leave it in the bag or wrapped up on the kitchen counter overnight. Check for ripeness in the morning. 
2 Submerge a mango in a bowl of uncooked rice or popcorn kernels. This old wives trick hails from India, where industrious moms hid unripe mangoes in bags of uncooked rice to speed up the ripening.[1] In Mexico, the trick is much the same, but uses uncooked popcorn kernels are used instead of rice. This method usually helps mangoes ripen within a day or two. 
3 Place a mango in the microwave for 10 seconds. While this isn’t the best way to ripen an unripe mango, it can work in a pinch. Simply use a fork or knife to carefully poke holes in the mango. Then, wrap the fruit in a paper towel and put it in the microwave for 10 seconds. Check the mango for ripeness. If it’s not ready, microwave in 10-second intervals until it is.[2] 
4 Set a mango on the kitchen counter at room temperature. For this method, you only need time and patience. Like other fruits, mangoes may take several days to ripen, but this is the most natural way to get your mango plump, juicy, and ready to eat. Use the mango when it is soft to the touch and has a strong fruity smell. Advertisement 
3 A ripe mango doesn’t have a specific color. Although most ripe mangoes are rich reds and burnt yellows, it depends on the variety, so they’re not always red and yellow. So, forget the look of mangoes when determining ripeness. Instead, use smell and softness as your guide. 
1 Place a whole mango in the refrigerator when it’s ripe. No wrap or container is necessary to store an unopened mango in the refrigerator. Simply clean the mango and place it in the fridge. Keeping the mango in the refrigerator helps slow down the ripening speed, so it’ll stay ripe longer and spoil slower. Typically, a whole ripe mango can last in the refrigerator for around 5 to 7 days.[6] 
wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. 
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