When Are Mangoes in Season?

Some things are best enjoyed in summer. We’re thinking barbecues, beach volleyball, and waterparks… plus the humble mango.

So, when are mangoes in season? They might be available year-round, but mangoes achieve their full, delicious potential in summer, with sales spiking between May and October.

Prices are at their most competitive during the “sun’s out, guns out” times of year – you’ll find mangoes growing steadily more expensive during fall and winter, peaking at a 178% increase from October to November.

But hey, sometimes food tastes all the better when it’s reserved for certain seasons, and that tart-sweet mango flavor pairs perfectly with many summer dishes, including salads, smoothies, and salsas.

What’s always in season is using Fetch to make your grocery shopping list. Download Fetch today, start snapping receipts, and you’ll soon be on your way to earning free gift cards from a number of grocery stores and popular retailers.

How and Where Do Mangoes Grow?

Do mangoes grow on trees? Ah, yes, a question that’s baffled scientists for centuries. (Not really.)

Yes, mangoes do grow on trees. They grow on great big handsome trees that grow fast in hot climates and often reach up to 40 meters. Good for them.

Opportunities for sipping mango juice beneath mango trees while ruminating on mango facts are sadly limited here in the United States. Their need for a tropical climate means mangoes only thrive in California, Hawaii, Florida, and Puerto Rico. India is the top producer worldwide.

How Long Do Mangoes Last?

How long your mangoes last depends on when you pick them up. Unripe mangoes that are still hard can be left on the counter and kept at room temperature until they ripen up. Once a mango hits its stride in the ripeness department, store it in the fridge. Shelf life is typically around 7 to 14 days.

How to How to Pick a Mango at the Grocery Store

Unripe mangoes are hard to the touch and lack the soft juicy texture that should make them so mouthwatering. This may lead you to throw said mango across the room in frustration and go off for a little cry. Avoid such a calamity by learning how to tell if a mango is ripe:

• Use Your Hands: A ripe mango that’s good for eatin’ should give slightly under pressure. If there’s no give, it needs more time.
• Use Your Eyes: Any cuts, holes, or blemishes should be a cause for concern, but you should also pay attention to a mango’s color. If they’re still quite green, leave them be. If they’ve taken on a reddish or yellow color, take them home.
• Use Your Nose (Yes, Really): Take a whiff from the stem end of your potential mango. It should release a sweet smell. Unripe mangoes won’t smell much at all, whereas overripe ones may give off a sour scent.

How to Peel a Mango

Shedding the inedible skin and removing the flat oblong pit from a mango can be tricky business, but you’ll feel a rush of pride once you know how to cut a mango like a pro.

Here’s how to peel and cut a mango:

1. Stand the mango on its end on a cutting board, then use a sharp knife to cut from top to bottom about half an inch from the stem.
2. Repeat on the other side to produce one section containing the pit and two mango cheeks. Then giggle with wild abandon at the term “mango cheeks” (we did, and we’ll dang sure do it again).
3. Make cuts crosswise and lengthwise on each mango cheek, trying not to cut through the peel.
4. Invert the mango so segments stick out like spikes on a hedgehog, then cut or peel the segments away with a small paring knife.
5. Take the middle section and cut away the pit, then extract any additional mango from around it.

How to Store Mango to Preserve Freshness

While unripe mangoes are happy at room temperature, ripe ones should be placed in the refrigerator. Once you’ve peeled and cubed a mango, store any leftovers in an airtight container. They should keep for several days in the fridge or up to six months in the freezer.

Easy Mango Recipes

Life can be hard, so let’s go for some easy mango recipes. Keep things easy-going by using Fetch as your grocery app to put everything together on your shopping list with a few clicks, then get the most points as a sweetener!

How to Make a Mango Smoothie

Mango should be your go-to for a nutrient-packed summertime smoothie. Best enjoyed on a sandy beach and accompanied by the sound of steel drums, this one is also ideal if you need a quick tropical breakfast drink to quick-start the working day.

Ingredients:

• Two ripe mangoes
• One banana, preferably frozen
• ½ cup dairy or non-dairy milk
• ½ cup Greek yogurt

Recipe:

1. Place in blender.
2. Blend until creamy.
3. Enjoy!

How to Make Mango Salsa

The sweet yet tangy taste of mango makes a colorfully irresistible salsa. Combining with fish tacos is always a winner, but just about any Mexican-themed meal is going to get kicked up a notch by mango salsa. It can also make chips more delicious or be eaten straight from the bowl as a salad that’s better than any salad has a right to be.

Ingredients:

• 3 ripe mangoes, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• ½ cup chopped red onion
• ¼ cup chopped cilantro leaves
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
• ¼ cup of lime juice
• ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon salt

Recipe:

1. Combine the mango, bell pepper, onion, cilantro leaves, and jalapeno in a large serving bowl.
2. Drizzle with lime juice.
3. Use a large spoon to toss the ingredients together, then season with salt to taste before stirring again.
4. Let rest for at least 10 minutes for the fullest flavor.

How to Make Mango Puree

We wouldn’t blame you for enjoying this mango puree by itself, but it really comes into its own when used for smoothies, toppings, or pie fillings. No worries if you do give in and consume it as-is – this is a seriously simple recipe you can replicate in a flash.

Ingredients:

• 3 ripe mangoes, peeled with pits removed
• 1 to 2 tablespoons of water

Recipe:

1. Put your mango chunks into a food processor, then pulse until smooth.
2. Add water to achieve the ideal texture.
3. Use right away or refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 3 days.

Earn the Most Points Possible on Your Shopping List Using Fetch as Your Grocery App

You already have your grocery shopping list made. Get the most bang for your buck by using Fetch to earn points on every receipt and redeem those points for free gift cards that will allow you to save money on future grocery store runs. Simply snap your receipt in our handy grocery app once you’re done picking out the ripest mangoes in the supermarket.