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What are Mangoes?
Mangoes (or mangos) originated in India. They are fruits similar to peaches in that they are considered a stone fruit or drupe (a fruit with a single pit inside of edible flesh).
What Does Mango Taste Like?
In general, unripe mangoes are hard, fibrous, and have a taste similar to tart limes. Many people describe ripe mangoes as having a tropical floral taste while others describe them as more citrusy and tart. Ripe mangoes are juicy, somewhat stringy, and sweet with underlying hints of sourness and pine. Yes, pine. Read to learn why.
What Do Mangoes Look Like?
What do mangos look like? Do they all look the same? No, they do not.
Many mangoes found here in the United States have multicolored skin with hues of red, orange, and yellow but can also have greenish hues as well.
What Texture Do Mangoes Have?
When ripe, mangoes are juicy and soft and a little “stringy”. However, when unripe, mangoes are fibrous and hard.
If you don’t like pulpy orange juice, you may not enjoy eating mangoes whole.
How To Tell If A Mango Is Ripe?
To tell a ripe mango from an unripe one, you’ll want to rely on your sense of smell and touch.
Unripe mangoes are hard as bricks and usually green. As it ripens, a mango will develop yellow, orange, and/or red hues depending on its type.
Mangoes are ripe when you can smell them and they “give way” a little when you press down on them. If your fingers sink into the mango easily, it’s probably overripe.
Do Mangoes Taste Like Peaches?
Some people believe a mango tastes like a cross between a peach and other fruits such as pineapple, orange, lemons, or limes.
Why Does Mango Taste Like Pine?
It appears many people say Mangoes have a mild evergreen or pine scent and flavor to them. I did a little research and there appears to be some validity to it.
Apparently, there are a handful of compounds in mango pulp that are also found in pine needles.
How To Tell If A Mango Is Bad?
In order to tell if a mango is bad or not, you need to rely on your senses. Look at it, smell it, and if it passes those tests, taste it.
First, you need to look at the firmness of the mango. Ripe mangos are soft but not squish or mushy. Their skin should be intact and not seeping any liquid. And there should be no visible signs on mold.
If your mango passes the visual test, then smell it. Mangoes should smell sweet and appealing. Bad mangoes can have an “off-putting”, sour smell. Bad mangoes also develop a vinegar, alcoholic smell.
Now, let’s talk about the taste of bad mangoes. If you mango has passed the visual and smell tests, it’s likely still good and you can taste it.
So, what does bad mango taste like? A bad mango tastes plain nasty. Unpleasant doesn’t describe it. Bad mangoes taste bitter, sour, and vinegary because they’ve begun to ferment.
When Are Mangoes Available?
In the United States, you can find mangoes almost year-round because they are grown in a variety of countries with different harvest dates.
What Foods Go Well With Mangoes?
Mangoes go well with a lot of different foods. Because mangoes are pretty sweet, be careful combining them with other “very sweet” foods.
What Are Some Popular Flavor Pairings For Mangoes?
Mangoes can be used in many cuisines from around the world including Thai and Philippine Dishes, Mexican Dishes, and Indian Dishes.
How Do You Store Mangoes?
Unripe mangoes should be stored at room temperature. Once a mango ripens, it should be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days.
Can You Freeze Mangoes?
Yes, you can peel and cube mangoes for freezing. Be sure to place them in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to six months.
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Final Thoughts From Cost-Effective Kitchen
Mangoes are a versatile fruit. Some of our favorite ways to use mangoes are in smoothies or in Mexican-inspired dishes.
If you haven’t tried mangoes, give them a shot. If you don’t like the pulp in orange juice, you may find the stringiness an issue. In this case, you could try to puree the mango in a smoothie or for use in a salad dressing!
Did you try a mango? If so, let me know how you liked it!
Until next time…
Kim
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