Mangoes: Tips and Tricks

By now, it should come as no surprise to you that I love fruit.  I could eat it all day, every day, and not get tired of it.  In fact, there is only one fruit that I've ever had and didn't care for.  Starfruit.  I found that it didn't have any taste and was like eating a watery pineapple.  I'll pass...thanks!  Have you ever had starfruit and did you like it?

Mangoes are another one of my favorite fruits.  They happen to be one of my grandma's as well.  When I was younger, my brother and I would spend a week with my grandparents every summer.  Grandma always made sure that she had mangoes in the house for us to enjoy together!



When I was in high school, one of my friend's families had an exchange student from Mexico staying with them.  He became friends with my brother and at one point he taught us the proper way to cut a mango. Prior to learning this method, I would peel the mango (like peeling an apple) and then slice off pieces of the flesh.  I usually ended up with a sticky mess, and this way is so much easier!

When you are purchasing a mango, you want to look for a fruit that is firm, but gives slightly when you press on it.  Color is not an indicator of ripeness. Mangoes continue to ripen as they sit, so you'll want to eat it before it becomes completely soft.

To start, you'll need a cutting board and a sharp knife.

Hold the mango vertically and slice along the pit, right next to the stem.

Turn the mango around and slice next to the pit on the other side.

Cut the peel off around the pit and carefully slice off and flesh from the pit.  Don't worry about making nice slices!

Slice vertical lines in each mango half, being careful not to slice all the way through the peel.

Then cut horizontal lines creating a "grid" in the mango flesh.

Turn the fruit inside-out and slice off the fruit chunks.

Enjoy a bowl of freshly cut fruit!  Ripe mangoes can also be stored in the fridge for up to a week before cutting.  Cut mango should be refrigerated in an airtight container and eaten within 2 or 3 day of cutting.

Other Fruit Tips and Tricks:
Watermelon
Strawberries
Blueberries
Pineapple
Avocados