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You picked up a mango on Monday and are throwing a party for your pals on Saturday. Mangoes may ripen on your kitchen counter at normal temperature without the need for any artificial means. Assuming the mangoes are just a little underripe, this method will work. It's not fair to have someone wait until the mango on their kitchen counter is mushy to satisfy their sudden yearning for a mango smoothie or mango cheesecake. That luscious, delicious fruit is for you to savour right now. You can accelerate the ripening process of mango with only a few simple methods. Here are a few handy tips.
Put it in the microwave
While this may be the fastest means to soften an underripe mango, it is not the most effective method because the fruit won't be as delicious. Follow these steps: Gently pierce the mango with a fork four or five times (this will allow steam to escape). Now use a paper towel to wrap the mango. After that, microwave the fruit for 10 seconds. You can identify if a mango is ripe by gently pressing into it; a ripe mango will yield a bit when you do this. Give it five more if it's not done after 10 seconds in the microwave.
Put it in a paper bag
Ripening mangoes in a brown paper bag, Image Source: butter-n-thyme.com
You may be familiar with this kitchen hack for ripening avocados, which also applies to this delicious yellow fruit. Keep the mango in a brown paper bag on your kitchen counter by rolling it up and leaving it there. The ripening of mangoes is aided by the emission of ethylene, a flavourless gas. The paper bag accelerates the gas's action, so your mango should be ready in a few days (or fewer; check it every day to be sure).
Use kernels of corn
This can be another hack to ripen underripe mangoes. Put the mangoes in a jar and cover them with corn kernels to speed up the ripening process one day. This procedure accelerates ripening so well that you risk getting an overripe mango if you leave it in the container for too long.
Use raw rice
Putting your mango in a bowl of uncooked rice for the night is another approach to using ethylene gas. In a day or two (although, again, keep checking frequently), you'll be ready to make the guacamole.
Placing underripe mango in a jar of raw rice, Image Credit: FoodMantri@YouTube
Store with ripe bananas
Place a ripe banana in a paper bag with your underripe mangoes to hasten the ripening process. The rapid accumulation of ethylene will cause your fruit to mature quickly.
Conclusion
Once your fruit has reached peak ripeness, put it in the fridge to prevent further ripening. When refrigerated, the shelf life of a fully ripe mango is five days. Mango may also be frozen for up to six months if peeled, then cut into cubes and stored in an airtight container.
