Think of a mango as a small, furry friend that needs a hug. You don’t want to crush it, but you want to say hello. Press it gently with your thumb or the palm of your hand.
If it feels rock hard, like a tennis ball, it’s not ready. You might as well be eating a green potato. If it feels like a water balloon about to burst, it is overripe and probably mushy inside.
The sweet spot is when it gives just a little, like a ripe avocado. A good mango yields to gentle pressure but bounces back. It’s firm, but it has a bit of spring to it.
Sniff the Stem End
This is the trick most people forget, and it’s almost magical. Pick up that mango and put your nose right up to the stem end—the little stump where it was attached to the tree. Take a deep sniff.
If you smell a sweet, tropical, almost floral scent—like sunshine and sugar—you’ve got a winner. That smell is the mango telling you it’s ready to party. If you smell nothing, it’s probably bland and dry.
A sour or fermented smell means it’s past its prime. Don’t even bother. Just put it down and walk away slowly.
Who Else Wants Info About How To Tell If A Mango Is Good - Postmary11