Sweet, juicy, and with a hint of floral — mango is one of the best fruits that you can add to your list especially if you are planning to start eating real foods. However, because of their pits, we tend to run into a bit of trouble when cutting mangoes. So, how to cut a mango?
Here are some of the easiest and best ways to cut a mango for any dessert recipe or mango cocktail drink! You never know, this “how to cut a mango” hack might be the next viral thing you share with your friends!
How to Cut a Mango
Having a mango cutter will make things easier. But if you do not have one, then the usual board-and-knife method will work just fine. To cut a mango, you’ll need a chopping board and a very sharp knife, and a spoon/glass cup.
Step 1: Separate the Mango Cheeks From the Pit
The first step is to cut away the mango cheeks from the mango pit since the cheeks contain the most flesh.
To do this, hold your mango upright on the chopping board. Then, position your knife at the top of the mango, a few centimeters away from the pit.
Slowly glide your knife down until one of the cheeks separates from the fruit. Repeat for the other side. You should end up with two equivalent-looking mango cheeks and a fibrous pit.
Step 2: Slice the Flesh on Each Mango Cheek
Next, cut the flesh on each mango cheek. To do this, hold one of the mango cheeks in your palm.
Using your knife, carefully score it in a crosswise pattern. Be careful not to cut through the mango peel to avoid cutting yourself. Repeat this for the other mango cheek.
- There are different ways you can cut a mango into slices. If you want to create mango strips, slice them vertically. If you want mango slices that look like a petal and you can use as a garnish, slice them horizontally. And for a dice cut, use a combination of vertical and horizontal slices.
Step 3: Scoop Out Mango With a Spoon or Glass
The next step would be to remove the mango flesh from the peel and transfer it into a bowl. Though you can use a knife, it’s a lot easier and safer to use a spoon to scoop out the flesh from the mango cheeks.
Do you peel mangoes before cutting?
Yes, you may! The traditional way of cutting open a mango is by peeling it first using a knife or a potato peeler. After peeling, you can directly eat it or slice it in any way you want.
You can use a drinking glass, too! Now, how to cut a mango with a glass? Easy, just hold your mango cheek, let the lip of the glass slowly dig in the flesh, and scoop the whole flesh out.
Do note that if you’re using this glass method, we recommend scooping out the mango flesh first before slicing it into smaller pieces or cubes using your knife.
Step 4: Slice off Remaining Mango Flesh From the Pit
We don’t want any mango flesh to go to waste. So to get the most out of your mango, slice the remaining flesh off the mango pit. Using a sharp knife is very convenient since the flesh around the mango pit requires more effort to remove.
And that’s all there is to cutting mangoes – just 4 simple steps!
How to Tell if a Mango Is Ripe
Brent Hofacker | Flickr
Florida red mangoes, honey mangoes, and Tommy Atkins are only some of the types of mangoes that are best consumed ripe.
So, when is a mango ripe enough to eat? Here are some things you can look out for if want to know how to pick a mango that is nicely ripe:
- Check the color. Ripe mango color ranges from yellow-green to bright yellow or orange. If you notice black spots on your mango, do not worry, it’s not an indicator of spoilt fruit or over-ripeness.
- Smell the stalk area. Ripe mangoes should have a sweet and fruity aroma.
- Gently press the fruit. Ripe mangoes should be tender to touch (though a single tender spot does not indicate full ripeness; the fruit should feel tender overall).
Can You Eat Mango Skin?
Yes! Mango skin is very rich in fiber and has high nutritional value. However, it has a bitter taste. Though, you can use it in making mango syrup if you don’t want it to go to waste.
When Is Mango Season?
There’s no specific season because mangoes are available all year round. However, they are fresher and sweeter during the peak months of the summer season, June and July.
Since mangoes produce ethylene gas (a hormone released by fruits, that hastens their maturity), you can easily speed up its ripening process, even if you’ve bought unripe ones. There are 3 easy ways to ripen mangoes:
- Wrap them in a newspaper or paper bag. This is a great way to trap and contain ethylene gas. This method is the fastest way. You can ripen a mango in 2 to 4 days with this.
- Bury the mangoes in uncooked rice. This is another effective way to trap ethylene gas.
- Leave it on the counter at room temperature for a few days. Since mango can produce ethylene on its own, leaving it on your kitchen counter is also enough to ripen it. However, do note that this method may take longer compared to the first two techniques.
READ ALSO: How To Ripen Avocados Quickly and Effectively
How to Store Fresh Mango
Skylar Gertz | Flickr
Want to keep your ripe mangoes fresh? Follow these tips, so you can make a mango and goat cheese salad anytime you want:
- Store in the refrigerator – Keep whole fresh mango inside your fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freeze peeled or sliced mango – You can flash freeze mangoes to avoid clumping of pieces once frozen. To do this, spread your mango slices on a lined baking tray and freeze them for a few hours. Then, place the frozen mango slices inside airtight freezer containers and keep them inside your freezer for up to 6 months.
Delicious Mango Recipes You Can Try
Now that you know how to cut mangoes, you can now explore different ways to enjoy them! Use them in making drinks or even as crepe fillings. There are a lot of options, but here are some easy recipes that you can start with in your culinary dive:
- Orange Mango Chicken – a pan-fried chicken recipe that is best for people who are looking for a perfect fusion between sweet and savory flavors. The fruity zesty flavor of orange and mango complements the tasty flavors of the marinated chicken.
- Mango Pie – If you are not a fan of overly sweet desserts, this refreshing pie recipe is for you. The sweet tangy flavor of pureed mangoes combined with the flaky buttery crust balances the sweetness of its creamy filling.
- Mango Naked Juice – a creamy smoothie that will keep you refreshed especially during the hot summer. This smoothie is made of mangoes and other fruits, making it both yummy and healthy.
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Krishia
KC is a writer, an artist, a theatre enthusiast, and a food lover. She believes in the saying, “a jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.” That is why she has myriads of interests—from photography, cooking, designing, journaling, and the list still goes on. She dreams of traveling the whole country on her own someday to satiate her eyes, her curiosity, and of course, her stomach.
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