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How To Eat A Mango (7 Ways To Enjoy This Fruit).


Mangoes are one of the most delicious fruits. With this fruit’s sweet and tangy flavor, juicy texture, and vibrant color, learning how to eat a mango is worth mastering.

Since mango fruit has an irregular shape, people think eating them is difficult. This article will provide step-by-step instructions to help you enjoy a fresh mango to its fullest.

Sliced mango on a plate, close up shot.

What Is Mango?

The mango is a juicy, tropical fruit native to South Asia. Today, people cultivate it in many other parts of the world.

This fruit belongs to the family Anacardiaceae, which experts also call the Sumac family. This plant family also includes cashews, pistachios, and, of course, sumac.

Also known as Mangifera indica, the mangoes come in various shapes, sizes, and colors. Mangoes can be round, oval, or kidney-shaped. They can also be small, medium, or large.

The skin of unripe mangoes is typically green. Once the fruit ripens, its skin usually turns yellow. However, some varieties can turn orange or red when ripe.

The taste of a ripe mango is juicy and sweet; it has a slightly fibrous texture. Aside from having a delicious taste, mangoes are also highly nutritious.

They contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Mangoes are a good source of vitamins A, B, C, and K. This tropical fruit also has fiber, potassium, and folate.

How To Peel A Mango

The skin of the mango is edible but does not taste good. For this reason, it is common to discard the mango peels.

Just by looking at the mango, you’ll get that feeling that peeling it may seem daunting. Still, you can do it easily and efficiently with the right technique.

Before peeling the mango, wash it with running water to remove dirt and debris. Examine the fruit for bruises and tiny holes as well.

Use A Knife

You may also peel a mango using a knife. Some mango juice would flow from the fruit, so peeling it near the sink is best for easier cleanup.

Here’s how to peel a mango using a knife:

  1. Use a sharp knife to cut the top and bottom of the mango. The goal here is to have a flat surface on the mango so you can hold it upright in place.
  2. Hold the mango against a cutting board with the narrow end facing up.
  3. Starting at the narrow end, carefully cut down the sides of the mango, following the shape of the mango. Cut off as close to the skin as possible. Try not to peel away too much of the flesh with the skin.
  4. Repeat cutting from the narrow end until you have removed most of the skin.

Use A Peeler

You have another option if you’re worried about peeling away too much of the fruit’s flesh while using a knife – use a vegetable peeler to peel the mango.

Here’s how:

  1. Hold the mango with one hand.
  2. Peel as you would potatoes and apples.

How To Cut Mango

Depending on your preference, you can cut mangoes with or without their skin. If you prefer to cut them peeled, use the guide above to peel the ripe mangoes first.

On the other hand, if you prefer to cut it with the skin still on, you just have to wash it before cutting.

Cutting A Peeled Mango

Here are the steps to cut a mango that you have already peeled:

  1. Hold the mango upright against a cutting board.
  2. Take a sharp knife and cut off the cheeks of the mango. Cut on one side, avoiding the pit as much as you can.
  3. Turn the mango 180 degrees and cut off the other cheek.
  4. Lay the cheeks flat on the cutting board and dice, or cut them into thin slices.

Cutting An Unpeeled Mango

Cutting the mango with its skin still on is sometimes easier. The flesh of the mango is slippery, so cutting it with the skin prevents it from slipping out of your grip.

Here’s how to cut an unpeeled mango:

  1. Cut off a tiny part of the narrow end of the fruit.
  2. Stand it upright on the chopping board.
  3. Slice off the cheeks by cutting vertically on one side first. Turn the mango 180 degrees and cut off the other cheek.
  4. Score or make shallow cuts on the flesh. Ensure that you do not cut until the skin.
  5. Invert the mango cheeks by pushing the skin towards you.
  6. Use a spoon to scoop the mango cubes out of the skin. You may also use a knife to slice off the cubes.

How To Eat A Mango

Mango is a versatile fruit you can serve and eat in many ways. Here are the top ways to eat a mango:

1. As A Fresh Fruit

One of the simplest ways to eat a mango is to eat it fresh. Cut it into slices or cubes and enjoy the fruit as a snack or dessert.

2. Add It To Salads

Mango is a great addition to salads. It can add sweetness and a tropical flavor to your classic salad recipe.

Slice or cube the mango and toss it with your mixed greens. You can also add it to a fruit salad for an exquisite sweet treat.

3. Make A Smoothie

Mango is among the most common ingredients in a smoothie. When blended, the mango becomes a thick and creamy puree, giving your smoothie a great texture.

On top of that, its naturally sweet taste means you don’t have to add any sweetener to your drink.

4. Use It To Make Desserts

Mango is a perfect ingredient for sorbets, ice cream, pies, and cakes.

If you’re not comfortable baking with mangoes due to their high moisture content, you can use mango slices as a dessert topping instead.

5. Grill It

Mango is so versatile you can even grill it. The easiest way to grill a mango is to cut it with its skin still on. Place the cheeks flesh down on the grill and grill until they get grill marks.

Top with ice cream and serve. If you want a savory dish, drizzle the grilled mango with lime or lemon juice and sprinkle salt and chile powder instead.

6. Make A Mango Chutney

Mango chutney is a popular condiment, especially in Indian cuisine.

To make it, you must combine mango chunks with spices, vinegar, and sugar. Serve the chutney as a dip, or use it as a spread and enjoy!

7. Enjoy It In A Salsa

Mango salsas are a tasty and colorful side dish to grilled fish or chicken. Combine diced mango with chili peppers, red onion, cilantro, and lime juice for a quick zesty salsa.

Are You Supposed To Eat The Skin Of The Mango?

No, you are not supposed to eat the skin of the mango. The mango skin is bitter, tough, and fibrous. It is best to cut it off and only eat the flesh inside, which is sweet and juicy.

Can I Just Bite Into A Mango?

Yes, you can bite into a mango, but there are better ways to eat it. Directly biting the mango means biting its bitter skin, which is not a great experience. It is better to peel the mango before eating it.

Can You Eat Mango Whole?

No, you cannot eat a whole mango. The mango skin is tough and bitter, and the seed is hard and inedible. The best part of the fruit is the mango flesh, so discard the peels and the seed before eating it.

Sliced mango on a plate, close up shot.

How To Eat A Mango

Natalia-Flavorful Home
Mango is a delicious and juicy fruit that is enjoyed by many around the world. Here are some steps to follow on how to eat a mango.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Snack
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

  • 1 mango ripe

Instructions
 

  • Choose a ripe mango: A ripe mango should be slightly soft to the touch and have a fruity aroma. If the mango is still hard, leave it at room temperature until it softens.
  • Cut the mango: Hold the mango upright on a cutting board with the stem end facing upwards. Use a sharp knife to slice off the top and bottom ends of the mango. Then, slice off the skin by running the knife along the curve of the fruit. You can also peel the mango using a vegetable peeler.
  • Cut the mango flesh: Once the skin is removed, you will see the flesh of the mango. Cut the flesh lengthwise along the seed to remove the two halves. Then, slice or dice the mango flesh into your desired size.
  • Eat the mango: Use a spoon to scoop out the mango flesh or simply bite into the juicy fruit. Be careful not to bite into the seed as it is hard and fibrous.

Nutrition

Calories: 124kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 2gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.3gSodium: 2mgPotassium: 348mgFiber: 3gSugar: 28gVitamin A: 2240IUVitamin C: 75mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 0.3mg
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Summary

Mangoes are one of the most nutritious and delicious tropical fruits. However, choosing a ripe mango is crucial for the best taste and texture. You can eat mangoes fresh or use them in a wide variety of dishes. After all, this tropical fruit works from salads and smoothies to curries and desserts.

You can also grill the mango or add it to salsas and chutneys. The possibilities on how to eat a mango are endless, so you can get creative and discover other mango recipes as you go.

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Natalia | Flavorful home
Natalia is a recipe developer, food photographer, and home cook. She started Flavorful Home to document her recipes and share home cooking tips. She loves creating flavorful and nutritious meals while keeping the cooking process simple and joyful!
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