Glossary

Climacteric describes fruit that shows a characteristic rise in respiration and ethylene production during ripening. Mango is climacteric, so a sufficiently mature fruit can continue ripening after harvest. That does not mean an undersized, immature fruit will develop normal flavor simply by waiting or adding ethylene. Harvest maturity, temperature, and damage influence the result. For home use, allow mature unripe mangoes to soften at room temperature, then refrigerate ripe fruit as appropriate to slow further deterioration.