How To Tell If A Mango Is Ripe: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow Is Your Mango Ready to Eat? Easy Ways to Test Ripeness PDF download Download Article How to know if your mango is ripe by touch, smell, and appearance Co-authored by Andrea Lawson Gray and Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: September 23, 2025 Fact Checked

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  • Signs a Mango is Ripe
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  • Ripening an Unripe Mango
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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. 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 1,206,128 times.

Juicy, sweet, and oh-so-delicious—is there anything better than a mango on a hot summer’s day? These tropical fruits can be used in a variety of dishes and are perfect for snacking, but biting into an unripe mango certainly takes away from the experience. Knowing if your mango is ripe can be a big game changer, which is why we’ve put together this helpful guide. Take a look at these nifty hacks to see if your mango is ready to eat.

Things You Should Know

  • Squeeze the mango gently. If it’s soft enough to dent, it’s ripe.
  • Smell the mango at the stem. If it smells sweet and tropical, it’s good to go.
  • Look for white or brown speckles on the fruit’s skin. If it has speckles, it's ready to eat.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 2:

Signs a Mango is Ripe

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  1. Step 1 Squeeze the mango gently to see if it gives. 1 Squeeze the mango gently to see if it gives. Press on the mango with your fingertips. If the fruit molds slightly in your hand, it’s ripe. If the fruit is firm or squishy, it may be underripe or overripe.[1]
    • Think of it this way, if you can just barely make a mark in the fruit with the tip of your thumb, it’s ready to eat.
    • If your thumb goes through the skin entirely and the fruit is squishy, it’s overripe and may be spoiled.
    • If your thumb doesn’t dent the fruit, let it ripen more before eating.
    • Alternatively, to avoid accidentally bruising the fruit, press the mango with your palm instead of your fingertips. Hold the mango in your hand and close your fingers around the fruit, pressing on it with the ball of your palm.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Tell if a Mango Is Ripe 2 Sniff the stem end of the mango to check for a sweet aroma. If the fruit has a strong fruity, sweet smell, there’s a good chance it’s ripe. If the mango smells sour or alcoholic, it’s most likely spoiled and should be tossed out.[2]
    • A ripe mango’s smell should remind you of how a mango tastes: sweet, juicy, and tropical.
    • A rotten or spoiled mango will smell bitter and alcoholic as the sugars inside ferment and cause a foul odor.
    • Always sniff a mango at the stem, as this is where the aroma is the strongest.
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  3. Step 3 Match the mango variety to it’s ripe color. 3 Match the mango variety to it’s ripe color. Contrary to popular relief, the color of a mango doesn’t always determine its ripeness. Each type of mango ripens to a different color; however, a red color indicates how much sun the fruit has gotten.[3] Use this guide to determine if your type of mango is ripe based on color:
    • The Ataulfo mango turns a deep, golden color when ripe.
    • The Francis mango is a blend of green and gold when ripe.
    • The Haden mango turns from green to yellow once ripe.
    • The Keitt mango will remain green even once it becomes ripe.
    • The Kent mango will remain mostly dark green but often has yellow undertones or dots.
    • The Tommy Atkins mango provides little to no visual clues of ripeness.
    • The Alphonse mango has purple to yellow skin once ripe.
    • The Edward mango has skin that can be pink, yellow, or a blend of the two.
    • The Kesar mango can remain green once ripe but will often take on a yellow hue.
    • The Manila mango usually has a ripe orange-yellow hue but can turn pink.
    • The Palmer mango can appear purple, red, yellow, or some mix of the three.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Tell if a Mango Is Ripe 4 Check for white or brown spots on the mango. While this isn’t always a sure indication of ripeness, if the mango peel has some freckles, it may be a sign that it’s ready to eat. This occurs when the fruit inside has become sweet and the sugars have fully developed.[4]
    • A mango lacking speckles may still be ripe. Spots shouldn’t be relied on as your only indicator.
    • Some mango varieties, like the Kent mango, can develop yellow spots instead of brown spots.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Tell if a Mango Is Ripe 5 Pick up the fruit and feel if it’s heavy. A ripe mango will feel heavy for its size, especially compared to an unripe mango.
    • Consider comparing the weight of a potentially ripe mango with a mango you know is unripe. The unripe mango should feel notably lighter than the other mango if it’s ripe.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Tell if a Mango Is Ripe 6 Notice if the mango is round or oblong. Depending on the type of mango you’re purchasing, the size and overall shape can help you decide whether or not it’s ripe. Most ripe mangoes have a hefty weight and are oval-like in shape. Here’s what to look for:[5]
    • The Ataulfo mango is small and has a flattened oval shape when ripe.
    • The Francis mango is oblong and has a slight s-shape when ripe.
    • The Haden mango is medium-sized and round to oval in shape.
    • The Keitt mango is a large, oval-shaped variety.
    • The Kent mango is large and oval-shaped.
    • The Tommy Atkins mango is usually large and oblong.
    • The Alphonse mango has an oblong shape.
    • The Edward mango can have both round and oblong shapes.
    • The Kesar mango usually has a round shape.
    • The Manila mango has a notably skinny, slender appearance.
    • The Palmer mango has an oblong shape when ripe.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Tell if a Mango Is Ripe 7 Feel the skin to see if it’s wrinkly. More often than not, a ripe mango will have a few wrinkles on its skin. Lightly rub your fingertips over the surface of the mango. It may be ready to eat if you feel ridges or textural differences.
    • Keep in mind that the absence of wrinkles doesn’t necessarily mean the mango is unripe, so use this trick with other testing methods.
    • If a mango is covered in deep wrinkles, it may be overripe.
    • The Ataulfo mango is well-known for developing wrinkles as it ripens.
  8. Step 8 Notice if the skin around the mango’s stem is plump. 8 Notice if the skin around the mango’s stem is plump. If it’s round and swollen, the mango is ready to eat. If it’s flat or sunken in, the mango is unripe.[6]
    • All mangoes have a flat stem before they’ve ripened. As the fruit matures, the pulp, juices, and sugars inside grow and develop, pushing out the stem.
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Method 2 Method 2 of 2:

Ripening an Unripe Mango

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Tell if a Mango Is Ripe 1 Place an unripe mango in a brown paper bag for 2 days. Believe it or not, putting a mango inside a paper bag can help speed up the ripening process. Fruit naturally produces ethylene gas as it ripens, and trapping the gas inside the bag with the fruit can make it ripen faster. Check on the fruit every day to see if it’s ripe enough to eat.
    • Try placing a ripe banana inside the bag with the mango to produce even more ethylene gas.
  2. Step 2 Leave the mango out at room temperature. 2 Leave the mango out at room temperature. It takes fruit longer to ripen in the refrigerator, so let it sit on your counter or in a fruit bowl for at least 2 to 7 days. Cold temperatures slow the ripening process dramatically, so a gentle transition to warmth can help the fruit ripen naturally.[7]
  3. Step 3 Put the mango into the fridge once it ripens. 3 Put the mango into the fridge once it ripens. Ripe mangoes must be eaten immediately, as their deliciously sweet flesh can quickly become overripe. If you don’t plan on eating a ripe mango that day, store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, as the cold temperature slows down the ripening process.[8]
    • Consider cutting a ripe mango to store in the freezer to use in smoothies later.
    • Preserve ripe mangoes by canning or dehydrating them to snack on or cook later.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question What color is a mango when it's ripe? Community Answer Community Answer That depends on the type of mango you have. Different mangoes have different colors, like strawberries. Ripe mangoes typically have speckles of brown, but this isn't always the only indicator of a ripe mango. Try smelling the fruit near the stem. If it has a sweet scent, it's safe. An alcoholic scent tells you the mango is overripe, so don't select that mango. If it smells like you would eat it, you can eat it. 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 2 Helpful 20
  • Question Is a mango bad if it has an acidic, burning taste? Caeiia Caeiia Top Answerer It might not be ripe enough, or you may be allergic to the skin. 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 18 Helpful 16
  • Question I just peeled a mango, and the color was a faded orange with a light brown color around the pit. Is it okay to eat? Community Answer Community Answer If it stinks, don't eat it. Or if you are courageous, take a small bite. If it tastes okay, go ahead and eat it. 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 12
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Tips

  • Use caution when cutting a ripe mango, as the fruit can be very slippery. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Eat your ripe mango by itself, in a smoothie, or on a yogurt bowl. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Video

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References

  1. ↑ Andrea Lawson Gray. Private Chef. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ https://www.mango.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Maturity-poster_hi.pdf
  3. ↑ https://www.mango.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Maturity-poster_hi.pdf
  4. ↑ https://mangoes.net.au/mango-tips/when-are-mangoes-ready-to-eat/
  5. ↑ https://www.mango.org/mango-varieties-availability/
  6. ↑ https://goodfruitguide.co.uk/product/ataulfo/
  7. ↑ https://www.industry.mangoes.net.au/cmsb/uploads/mango-ripening-manual_d4-final.pdf
  8. ↑ https://www.industry.mangoes.net.au/cmsb/uploads/mango-ripening-manual_d4-final.pdf

About This Article

Andrea Lawson Gray 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 1,206,128 times. 16 votes - 87% Co-authors: 11 Updated: September 23, 2025 Views: 1,206,128 Categories: Food Selection and Storage Article SummaryX

If you want to check a mango for ripeness, hold it in your hand and squeeze gently with your palm. If the mango indents slightly, it’s probably ripe. If the mango is hard, it needs more time to ripen, and if it's squishy, it’s overripe and should be discarded. Next, run your fingers over the skin of the mango. Most ripe mangos will have some wrinkles in the skin, although some will stay smooth. Finally, test the weight in your hand. A ripe mango will feel heavier for its size than an unripe mango. For tips on ripening a mango, keep reading! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Barbara Kostelnik

    Barbara Kostelnik

    Jul 23, 2016

    "I had eaten mango, but never bought one until yesterday! This article explained even more than I needed to know..." 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. Andrea Lawson Gray Co-authored by: Andrea Lawson Gray Private Chef Co-authors: 11 Updated: September 23, 2025 Views: 1,206,128 87% of readers found this article helpful. 16 votes - 87% Click a star to add your vote Barbara Kostelnik

Barbara Kostelnik

Jul 23, 2016

"I had eaten mango, but never bought one until yesterday! This article explained even more than I needed to know..." more Magdalena Chellet

Magdalena Chellet

May 16, 2017

"The tip of checking the bottom for fullness and the explanation of how a paper bag helps in the ripening process..." more Rere Mags

Rere Mags

Jul 18, 2018

"I really needed to know when my mango's were ripe, because I always ate them too early! Thank you for making..." more Lulu B.

Lulu B.

Dec 22, 2016

"This was a terrific article, because it answered my questions about how to tell if a mango is ripe quickly. Thanks!" Dee Justice

Dee Justice

Aug 20, 2016

"Explained texture and surface. Also how to test for ripeness by squeezing with palm of hand. Thanks." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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