What is the best way to eat a mango?

[Coconut Cream]

As we approach peak mango season, how do you eat your mangoes? What approach gives the best flavor and best eating experience? The way you consume a mango can impact the flavor and how you eat it, for better or for worse.

I have picked up a freshly fallen mango off the ground and eaten it right under the tree with the fruit still warm from the sun. I have eaten mangoes picked green that ripened on the counter and were served at room temperature with the skin still on. I have had thawed frozen mango chunks. And pretty much everything in between.

Through all that I have my favorite way to eat mango that gives the most intense and accurate flavor, and best eating experience. The mango should be picked at the right time, mature but not overripe, and needing a few days to ripen on the counter. When the mango colors up and starts to soften, but before it becomes overly soft, I peel the entire fruit and then cut the meat away from the seed. I slice the fruit into bite-sized pieces and put the peeled slices in the refrigerator. At this point the mango tastes good but still not 100% ripe and still not at full intensity. In about 12-24 hours the mango will finish ripening in the refrigerator and the flavor and sweetness will intensify without becoming overripe. The fruit will become a bit softer. To me, mango tastes best eaten at this point, slightly chilled and picked up with a fork for a pleasant eating experience.

What is your favorite way to get the most out of eating a mango?

[K-Rimes]

Like this:



Being more accurate, though. I prefer a mango to counter ripen. I do not get the same flavor experience if cold, I have sensitive teeth so that can take some of my focus away. I like to cut off each "big" side of the mango, then slice them into cubes and fold the skin inward so they pop out. I think having my nose stuffed against the mango flesh itself improves the flavor.

[roblack]

lol, I agree up to the point of peeling skins and refrigerating.

I cut one 1/2 of the mango up to one of the flat sides of the mango, then lay the remaining mango skin side up, for later. Then take the cut side, and cut sideways into it, making 1 inch wide or less pieces, with skin still attached. Then, each piece can be enjoyed, scraping as close to the skin as one likes. Then, I cut the other 1/2 off, and do the same way, and then the sides. The seed is usually eaten around, over the sink or garbage can, or in the yard. Gets messy, but so much fun.

Refrigeration dampens flavor. Either room temp, or freeze for smoothies or freeze drying. Cooled mangoes make me very angry. People who put Tajin on mangoes are even worse, and no longer receive fruit from me. I get it with a grocery store mango, but with primo varieties, just doesn't make any sense.

[K-Rimes]

. People who put Tajin on mangoes are even worse, and no longer receive fruit from me. I get it with a grocery store mango, but with primo varieties, just doesn't make any sense.

That would be the last banger mango they receive from me.

[Coconut Cream]

I knew the Porcupine Style would make an appearance!

lol, I agree up to the point of peeling skins and refrigerating.

I cut one 1/2 of the mango up to one of the flat sides of the mango, then lay the remaining mango skin side up, for later. Then take the cut side, and cut sideways into it, making 1 inch wide or less pieces, with skin still attached. Then, each piece can be enjoyed, scraping as close to the skin as one likes.

I would call that Watermelon Style. I do that sometimes, but for me eating around the skin can be distracting because of the aroma and contrasting flavor in the skin sometimes contains.

I agree that freezing mango alters the flavor in a negative way, but I have not had the same problem with mango chilled in the fridge. I just ate a Lemon Zest both ways and the one that came out of the refrigerator had so much more kick to it. It was like drinking Orange Fanta soda!

[SplorKeLZ]

I take the mango, sit down, peel it ith my hands and eat it like a monkey. saves the hassle of cutting it...

[SHV]

People who put Tajin on mangoes are even worse, and no longer receive fruit from me. I get it with a grocery store mango, but with primo varieties, just doesn't make any sense.

Dude, that’s hilarious!  That’s how I feel about people who eat mango underripe or pickle it.  No thanks.
Although…my wife taught me the benefit to eating chaat masala sprinkled on watermelon.  Maybe there’s something to adding Tajin to fresh mango.  I might try this on my next coconut cream mango.

[MasOlas]

The best way?

One bite at a time, of course!

[Julie]

Tree ripe fruit only. I go outside and pick up fallen fruit 2x per day. If i wanted unripe fruit i would order from whole foods market 

[roblack]

I take the mango, sit down, peel it ith my hands and eat it like a monkey. saves the hassle of cutting it...

Best method so far! Did that poolside with a few OS in the Keys, heaven; better than a cheeseburger in paradise.

[Rob From Sydney]

I just cut the mango 'cheeks' of close to the seed, porcupine the the cheeks, and when I finish all the juicy KP flesh and lick off all remaining juice then I move to the centre. I peel the circle of skin off, than suck every drop of juice of the seed, and then I wish for more mango (but remind myself that I can't polish off another 400g KP) and lick my plate clean 


Btw, K-Rimes I love the mango meme! I've saved that one! And I agree that mangoes don't taste as good cold. I'm not much of a cold fruit fan. Field warm for me - sweeter and more flavourful that way. Refrigerated tomatoes/pitaya/strawberry are the worst.

[Rob From Sydney]

People who put Tajin on mangoes are even worse, and no longer receive fruit from me. I get it with a grocery store mango, but with primo varieties, just doesn't make any sense.

Never had Tajin, surely it would taste good with green mango? The only excuse for putting it on a ripe fruit is called Tommy Atkins!

[roblack]

Another great way to eat a mango is to do samplings with other mangoes of different flavor profiles. Going from an Edward, to an Orange Sherbet, then a Cogshall, and then to a Poh Gedong is a lot of tasty fun. Just like eating only 1 flavor of gummy bears is not nearly as satisfying as mixing them up, mangoes are best when at least paired up. 

[dolomis]

Has to be room temp or of the tree for me. I follow the oil/crystalize rule.  Naturally things have more flavor at room temp or warmed up.

As for technique I do the banana peel by slicing shallow on the quarters and gently peeling back that fragrant juicy skin. I start  by scraping the juices released from the skin with my teeth and indulging my nose in that high fragrance lofting out. I guess from there I decide if I want to eat half or the whole thing.

If you try this you will notice a clear nectar like liquid running down the skin and mango flesh.the juice of the flesh it self is yellow/ orange leading me to believe it is nectar. I don’t really know how else to describe it I just know something magical happens right there. .  I recommend trying this because there is a distinct sweetness and flavor that is only just beneath the skin and you only really experience that by peeling back like a banana. It’s usually lost when people slice the skin off or eat the flesh off the skin.