A mango that’s going bad might release a strong, pungent odor, be mushy/very soft to the touch, show wide dark spots on its flesh, and change its skin color.
Likewise, a bad mango will taste bad if none of the visual cues inform you of the status on the inside.
So, continue reading this guide to learn the tell-tale signs of a bad mango to avoid buying or eating one.
7 Signs a Mango Is Going Bad
I explain some signs of a bad mango to know when it’s no longer edible.
Look
Tiny dark spots on a mango’s flesh are signs of ripening. However, a mango with widespread dark spots should be discarded. It’s worse when the dark spots ooze juice, which indicates an intense rotting that has punctured the mango skin from inside.
The visible signs are often apparent when the mango changes color from fully-ripened or overripe colors to a dull brown tone (rotting).
In some other cases, the rotten mangoes start growing mold when entirely spoiled or on the way to rotting. Ensure to throw them out immediately when you notice this.
Feel
A mango going bad will burst under slightly less pressure than a ripe, or somewhat overripe mango will withstand. Thus, avoid eating a mango that feels squishy to touch or caves in under a bit of thumb pressure.
A perfectly ripe mango may also cave under pressure. However, you’ll notice the difference in texture and feel compared to a rotten mango.
Smell
Mangoes release a pungent odor when they start going bad. This is usually the result of fermenting gasses that concentrate on the inside as it continues to rot.
Thus, smelling the stem area of the fruit should reveal whether the mango is still good or starting to rot.
Oozing Liquid
If you notice your mango is releasing liquid, throw it out.
When left for an extended period, the mango flesh would break and release a liquid with a strong, pungent alcoholic smell. This is an obvious sign of rotting, and the mango must have been going bad from inside for a long time to get to this stage.
Taste
A rotting mango would contain fermented juices, leading to a highly dissatisfying taste that’s as unsavory as the juice it oozes.
When you taste a bad mango, it’s best to spit it out and discard the rest of the mango altogether. Plus, it doesn’t hurt to rinse your mouth with some water to get that spoilt mango taste and residue out of your mouth.
Senses
If you constantly eat fruits, it might be easier to tell when mango is going bad or not. Most times, just by looking at it, you can easily conclude that the mango is ripe or spoiled.
Insect Magnet
Likewise, rotten mangoes attract insects due to the release of fermented sugar oozing from their cuts.
However, that a mango attracts insects alone isn’t a good sign of going bad. So, take this sign with others on the list to make a better-informed decision.
How to Prevent Mango From Going Bad Faster
Some tips to help you keep your mango fresh are:
- Refrigerating the mango. Washing, cutting, and placing a mango in the refrigerator prevents it from going bad quickly.
- Freezing the mango. Freezing a mango helps preserve its peak nutrients for up to six months (or more) without spoiling.
- Store cut mangoes properly. Cut mangoes should be put in freezer bags and arranged in the freezer for future purposes.
- Learn how to store unripe mangoes. Unripe mangoes are best kept at room temperatures. Follow these tips to store unripe mangoes better.
FAQs
What Does Bad Mango Taste Like?
A rotten mango tastes precisely as it smells. The fermentation gives the bad mango a bitter, almost sour, and unpleasant taste.
The poor taste could vary depending on how far the mango has spoiled. Still, discard a rotten mango once it tastes wrong.
Is a Mango Still Good if It’s Brown?
Mangoes can be eaten or used when brown, but they will no longer have their usual taste. Since it’s overripe, it would be mushy to the touch and unpleasant to your taste buds.
Can You Get Food Poisoning From Mangoes?
You can get food poisoning from overeating unripe mangoes, consuming too many overripe mangoes, or eating as little as one bad mango.
Thus, it’s best only to eat one unripe mango daily, consume only one overripe mango or eat as many ripe mangoes as you want.
Why Do Mangoes Taste Like Gasoline?
Some mango varieties (like the Alphonso mango) may have distinct smells and tastes likened to gasoline. This may also result from the mango’s ripening process, especially if it’s been chemically ripened off the three.
So, it’s best to leave the mango to ripen on the tree, choose a mango that isn’t chemically ripened at the grocery store, or buy another variety of the mango fruit.
Why Does My Stomach Hurt After Eating a Mango?
Your stomach may hurt after eating a mango if the mango is bad, overripe, too unripe to be eaten, or you have a sensitive stomach to mangoes. Likewise, the stomach ache may have nothing to do with your mango consumption.
If the stomach ache was from the mango consumed, it should be mild and subside after a little while. Otherwise, it’s best to consult your doctor.
Never Eat a Bad Mango
Not even as a prank!
If you didn’t know what a bad mango looks, smells, or feels like, now you do.
Always apply these tips when looking for a mango to eat. Also, when buying mangoes, look through this guide to picking the perfect mangoes every time! That way, you never buy a rotten, unsweet, or bad mango again.
