It's peak season for mangoes right now, and whether you eat them fresh or use them to make desserts like mango soup, they are incredibly delicious. However, experts remind us that the key to enjoying good mangoes is knowing how to pick quality ones.
A nutritionist explains that mangoes have exquisite flesh, a unique flavor, and a wide variety of cultivars, satisfying different taste preferences and making them a beloved fruit, often called the "King of Tropical Fruits." At the same time, the sugar, protein, vitamins, and other nutrients in mangoes are present in higher concentrations compared to many other fruits, giving them excellent health benefits. Although mangoes are highly nutritious, they should not be consumed in excess. Mangoes contain a significant amount of irritating substances, and when eating them, it's easy to get mango juice on the lips, cheeks, and other areas, which can irritate the facial skin, causing redness and inflammation. In severe cases, it can lead to swollen and painful eyes. After eating, it's important to promptly clean any remaining mango juice and flesh from the skin around the lips to prevent allergic reactions.
So, how do you choose a delicious mango?
First, look at the color. Generally, golden yellow is the color of a ripe mango for most varieties, but some ripe mangoes may not be yellow. There's a type called a "red mango," which is typically ready to eat when it turns red, though its flavor is somewhat different from that of golden mangoes.
Second, look at the skin. A ripe mango will have intact skin. Depending on its level of ripeness, it's acceptable for a mango to have a few small black spots.
Third, rely on touch. A good mango should feel smooth, have thin skin, and you should be able to sense the tenderness of the flesh inside.
Fourth, smell it. A ripe mango has a fragrant aroma, especially around the stem, which will also appear shrunken. This is because after being picked, the mango no longer receives nutrients or water, and this is part of its ripening process.