Mango FAQ

Mangoes can ripen after picking if they were physiologically mature when harvested. Look for fruit that has filled out, including its cheeks and shoulders, and learn the maturity signs for the particular tree. A hard, undersized mango picked too early may soften without developing good flavor. Skin color alone is unreliable, and fully soft fruit is not required for a mango to be ready to harvest.

Mature-green describes fruit developed enough to ripen satisfactorily after harvest while still firm. The term does not require a particular green peel color. Match external shape with a cut sample and, where available, a locally validated maturity test. For harvest decisions, the important question is whether development is sufficient, not whether the fruit is already soft enough to eat.