What Does Mango Taste Like?

What does mango taste like? Are you pondering this question? Just be a little bit more patient! I will give you the right in a minute. Every detail about the flavor, aroma, and texture of mango is packed in this article.

Wait, not yet. I will not just share with you the taste of mango. It is not the only thing that is important about mango. A lot of information about the uses, varieties, storage, shelf life, and recipes are also provided. Don’t miss any of it!

What You Should Know About Mango

Besides the taste, I want to first outline some important facts about mango so you can understand it more. Let’s start with its origin and key features.

Where Does Mango Come From?

Mango was first found in India around 4000 years ago. It was grown widely in Asia. Nowadays, Asia produces the largest quantity of mangos in the world. Mango was then also brought to other parts of the world, such as Africa and America. ⁽¹⁾

Characteristics

Mango has a stunning appearance. It comes in a wide range of shapes, depending on the variety. It can be oval or round. Sometimes you will see that its shape resembles that of the heart or kidney. In addition, it can be quite long with a round top and a pointed end.

You will also be surprised about how diverse its color is. Mango is typically green when it is unripe. Over the course of ripening, its colors change to yellow, orange, or red. But it rarely has only one color. You’ll often see that it has some shades of different colors.

Mango skin is very thin. You can peel it easily with a knife. People also remove the large seed inside since it is sharp and inedible.

Health Benefits

Mango is a super fruit. It has some tremendous benefits for your body. People often think of oranges when they talk about fruit that is high in vitamin C. But mango is also an excellent source. Vitamin C does a lot of things to your body. It is an essential substance.

In addition to it, mango also contains antioxidants and minerals such as magnesium and potassium. These nutrients are beneficial to your heart. They can boost your overall health. ⁽²⁾

Mango’s Taste Is Irresistible

It’s time to dig into our most interesting topic. Here you will find the most comprehensive description of mango’s taste.

Flavor

In general, mango has a lovely sweet taste that will seduce everyone after the first bite. Its taste can be imagined as an intersection between pineapples, peaches, and orange. It is the perfect fruit to enjoy in summer.

When ripe, mango is very sweet and has a woody flavor. But unripe mango also has a wonderful sour taste with some sweet undertones. Ripe mangoes sometimes can also be tart, depending on their varieties.

Some people love to eat both ripe and unripe mango, including me. I recommend that you try both. Maybe you will also join my team.

Texture

Mango has a smooth texture both on the outside and inside. The flesh is firm and pulpy. Some varieties are fibrous. The closer the flesh is to the seed, the softer it is.

Mango is also juicy, squishy, and creamy when ripe and fibrous, crunchy when unripe. Ripe mango is also slightly stringy.

Aroma

Mango has a very pleasant fruity and tropical scent that can make you feel refreshed. It also smells sweet, similar to how it tastes. If you have tried melons and pineapples, you will realize that mango smells much like them. In addition, it is also a bit floral and woody.

How Many Varieties Does Mango Have?

Mango has more than 300 varieties. But here in America, you will usually come across these 9 varieties. Let’s see how its taste varies across varieties.

Keitt Mango

Keitt mango is mainly grown in Florida. It has a very sweet flavor with some lemony hints. The ripe mango is green in color. Yet you will sometimes see some pink areas on it.

You will feel a citrusy scent once you smell it. It is also firm to the touch, fibrous, and quite juicy. The flesh is creamy and has an orange-yellow hue. Its seed is thin. This variety is available between March and April, sometimes between August and September.

You can see this video to know more:

Haden Mango

Haden mango also originates in Florida. It is also planted in other countries, such as Australia. You can buy Haden in the period between March and May.

It is both sweet and sour with some bitter undertones. Notably, it is even sweet when unripe and becomes sweeter over the ripening process. You will be amazed by its peachy aroma and firm and custard-like texture. It is slightly fibrous on the outside.

Francis Mango

This variety also has a peach-like scent. Yet, it is very sweet and juicy. People also call it Haitian or Francine mango because it was found in Haiti, a Caribbean country. It has a bright yellow hue with some small green areas. You will find it in the supermarket from May to June.

Francis mango is also famous for its distinctive sweet and rich taste. It is also a little bit spicy. You will not find this flavor in other varieties. Its flesh has a unique dark orange color.

Tommy Atkin Mango

Tommy Atkin mango is grown in Mexico and Florida. It can be found between March and July.

 It is a mildly sweet and lightly tart variety. Normally, it has three colors, namely dark red, green, and yellow, with dark red as the main tone. Concerning aroma, it has a citrusy and fruity scent, similar to some other varieties.

Kent Mango

Kent mango has a rich sweet taste with some sour undertones. It is juicy and has a peach-like aroma. You can identify kent mango by looking for its dark green skin with some red tones. Its skin color ranges from golden yellow to orange.

This type of mango is always in stock in January, February, and December.

Once you taste kent mango, you can never forget it. You can see this video to know more:

Ataulfo (Honey) Mango

The name tells everything about this variety. Its taste resembles the rich sweetness of honey. Notably, it is quite smaller in size than other varieties. In addition, it is firm to the touch and has a peachy aroma. The flesh inside is deep yellow.

In addition, ataulfo mango is also loved for its non-fibrous and velvety texture and thin seed. Its peak season is between March and July.

Alphonso Mango

Do you know what the most delicious mango in the world is? It’s alphonso mango, an Indian variety. It has a golden yellow skin with some red notes and a very distinctive sweet taste. It is much richer than other varieties.

The aroma is also strong and intense, and the flesh is juicy as usual. Alphonso mango is harvested around May to June.

Apple Mango

As the name suggests, this variety of mango has something to do with apples. The first thing is the pink or dark red color. Their shapes are also similar. Apple mango also has a round shape. It is very sweet, juicy, and almost non-fibrous. Its peachy aroma is also amazing.

This variety comes from Kenya. The peak season is between May and June.

Let’s find out whether apple mango tastes like apple or mango.

Kesar Mango

Kesar mango is also an Indian variety; it is as famous as alphonso mango and is very tasty. So it is quite more expensive than other varieties. This variety is very sweet, pulpy, and soft. Yet it is less sweet than alphonso mango. Both exterior and interior colors are orange.

This delicious mango is available yearly in June and July. You can always find it in the Indian section.   

What Dishes Can You Make With Mango?

Mangoes are among the most versatile fruits. You can make drinks, sweet desserts, and savory dishes from them. I know this fact has already fascinated you. Let’s look at what you can cook with mango in more detail.

Drinks

You can use mangos to make a lot of mouth-watering and refreshing drinks, such as mango juice, mango smoothie, mango martini, mango margarita, and mango cocktails. In addition, they can be used to make tea, which can be enjoyed warm or cold.

Its sweet taste is a perfect summer treat. You should definitely try these refreshing drinks.

Sweet Desserts

The number of sweet desserts that are made from mango is vast. You can make mango cheesecake, mango pudding, mango mochi, mango cake, and mango bread.

Each type of dessert has a different texture. The flavor combines the sweetness and juiciness of mango, creating a delicious taste that can hardly go wrong.

Savory Dishes

When tropical fruit is added to savory dishes, you will probably think of fresh and fruity dishes like salad and salsa. Actually, mango is much more versatile. You can add mango to skewers, tacos, chicken dishes and make mango sauce and pickled mango.

Everything About Mango’s Shelf Life

After learning about mango’s taste, what else should you know? That is its shelf life so that you can enjoy its best taste. There are several forms of mangos, each of them has a different shelf life. Look at the table below to get more detail.

Mangos can be kept in the pantry, the fridge, and the freezer. If you buy unripe mangos, do not refrigerate or freeze them until they ripen. The low temperature will slow down or even stop the ripening process.

Ripe mango can be stored at room temperature, given that you plan to eat them in a couple of days. But peeled mango will not last more than 1-2 hours unrefrigerated.

Some people often peel mangoes before storing them. Some keep them in the whole form. Each method will have a different shelf life; you can check the table above for more information.

The Best Ways To Store Mango

Has anyone told you the most effective method to store mangoes? If not, I am very happy to be the one who guides you.

At Room Temperature

Whenever you buy unripe mangoes, you should let them ripen completely before eating or refrigerating them. The most effective way to do it is to put it in a paper bag or plastic bag and leave the bag somewhere dark and cool. Remember to let it interact with the air.

To speed up the ripening process, you can store them in a brown paper bag and put some bananas or some other fruits that can produce ethylene gas in the bag.

The Fridge

As mango is already ripe, you should refrigerate it if you don’t eat it immediately or just eat a part of it. Once peeled, mango must be kept in an air-tight container or a plastic bag. Otherwise, it will turn brown. You should note that the less air mango interacts with, the longer it will last.

For whole mangoes, you just need to leave them in the fridge. The ideal temperature to store mangoes is 40°F. Keep them far away from other fruits and vegetables so that they will not be overripe.

The Freezer

You can freeze peeled ripe mango, pickled mango, and mango juice. For pickled mango and mango juice, you just have to put them in an air-tight container and freeze.

To freeze fresh mango, you need some more easy steps.

Step 1: Peel the ripe mango and divide it into even cubes or slices.

Step 2: Put the slices or cubes on a baking sheet, cover it with plastic wrap, and flash-freeze it for 30-60 minutes.

Step 3: Take the sheet out. Transfer the frozen slices or cubes to an air-tight container and freeze it.

Pro tip: Remember to write the date somewhere on the container so that you can remember how long it has been stored.

Does Mango Go Bad?

Of course, yes. Like other tropical fruits, mango will go bad after some time. I know that rotten mango tastes terrible. I don’t want you to have that experience. So I want to share with you the signs of spoiled mango so that you can protect yourself.

Appearance

Spoiled mango often has many black or brown spots, wrinkles, and bruises all over the peel. Mold also starts to appear. Once you see these signs, toss the mango right away.

Smell

Mangoes always have a fresh and fruity aroma. When your mango develops an acidic or alcoholic scent, it’s time to get rid of it. This is because the amount of sugar in mango is fermented, resulting in an unpleasant smell.

Texture

Fresh and ripe mangoes are quite soft. However, if it is overly mushy, it is either overripe or spoiled. Overripe mango is still edible. But if you feel that it looks unappetizing, it is best to discard it and get a new one.

How To Pick Ripe Mango

Another important thing you should learn about mango is the signs when it is ripe so that you can buy the tastiest mango from the supermarket.

First, you should note that mango comes in different colors. For other fruits, being yellow or red is a sign of ripeness. But for mangoes, nothing is sure. So you should not choose ripe mango by just looking at its color.

Ripe mangoes are soft. You can check by pressing your finger on the skin. If it is a little bit elastic, then it is ready to eat.

Another tip to choosing ripe mangoes is to look for some wrinkles on the skin. But you should be careful; too many wrinkles indicate that the mango is about to spoil.

This is the only guide you need to identify ripe mango.

Refresh Yourself With These 5 Delicious Mango Recipes

Need some refreshing dishes and drinks for summertime. These 5 amazing mango recipes will help you wipe away the heat.

1. Mango Salsa

First, let’s take a look at mango salsa. I bet that you will be stunned by how refreshing and colorful it is. Everything you need for summer is there. Why not try it?

The combination of mango and other fruits and veggies creates a delicious dish that is full of flavors and textures. The dressing finishes up with a bright and tangy taste from lime juice.

Mango salsa is easier to make than you think. You can see this video to know more:

2. Mango Smoothie

A creamy, sweet, and bright smoothie cannot go wrong in summer. You can hardly find any smoothie that is more refreshing and easier to make. Go for a mango smoothie today!

This smoothie recipe is a great way to use up your frozen mango. All you need to do is blend everything together in a food processor. The result will definitely be tastier than what you can imagine.

3. Mango Margaritas

A summer party cannot be completed without a sparkling cup of margaritas. Try making mango margaritas for your next dinner! I am sure it will be a crowd-pleaser.

Sweet, cool, and alcoholic, mango margaritas are nothing but a perfect combination between mango and wine.

4. Mango Salad

There is mango salsa. Of course, there is also mango salad. If you are looking for the most suitable side dish for your summer party, this mango salad recipe deserves to be your go-to option.

Mango is tossed with other vegetables and smothered in the delicious dressing. Mouth-watering!

5. Mango Cake

This famous mango cake will never disappoint you. Once you go for it, you can never go back. If I have to choose my favorite mango recipe, then the answer will be this cake.

Given its fluffy and creamy texture, sweet taste, and elegant look, you have no reason not to add mango cake to your summer menu.

Make this beautiful mango cake for your summer party.

FAQs

Let’s get to the last part! I love to tell you everything about mango’s taste. This is some further information about mango that you may be interested in. Read on to learn more!

Are You Craving Mango? Of Course.

Mango tastes delicious, doesn’t it? When you actually try it, you will be surprised that it is even tastier than what I have just described. You will definitely love it as much as I do.

Now you should pick your favorite varieties, rush to the market, and pick the freshest mangoes to take home and enjoy.

What do you think about mango’s taste? What is your favorite way to enjoy mangoes? Let me know in the comment box below.

References

1. Dpi.wi.gov..
2. Healthline.. Mango: Nutrition, Health Benefits and How to Eat It.
3. Healthline.. Is It Safe to Eat Mango If You Have Diabetes?.