How to Store Mango | Shelf Life & Spoilage Signs
Quick Storage Facts
| Storage Method | Duration | Safety | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| room Temperature | 2-7 days (to ripen) | ✅ | Keep at room temperature until ripe |
| refrigerator | 5-7 days (ripe, whole), 3-5 days (cut) | ✅ | Refrigerate once ripe to slow further ripening |
| freezer | 10-12 months | ✅ | Best when peeled, cubed, and stored in syrup or juice |
Signs of Spoilage
- •Excessive softness or mushiness
- •Large black spots or extensive bruising
- •Wrinkled or shriveled skin
- •Sour or alcoholic smell
- •Mold growth, especially around the stem or any cracks
- •Leaking juice or sticky exterior
- •Gray or black fibers in the flesh when cut open
Storage & Reheating Tips
- •To speed up ripening, place mangoes in a paper bag with an apple or banana
- •Ripe mangoes will give slightly when gently squeezed and often have a fruity aroma at the stem end
- •Store ripe mangoes in the refrigerator to extend their life by several days
- •The best way to cut a mango is to slice along both sides of the flat pit, score the flesh, then invert and cut cubes away from the skin
- •For freezing, peel and cube mangoes, then freeze on a baking sheet before transferring to freezer bags
- •Slightly underripe mangoes are best for chutneys and pickles
- •Green, unripe mangoes can be used in savory dishes like Thai green mango salad
Food Safety Reminder
When in doubt, throw it out! Food can harbor harmful bacteria without visible signs of spoilage.
Frequently Asked Questions