5 ways to safely store a large quantity of mangoes

It is mango season. From supermarkets and fruit shops to roadside stalls and bicycles loaded with baskets, mangoes of all varieties are everywhere. Seeing them all around naturally makes people want to enjoy the fruit, and many households have a steady supply of mangoes during this time of year.

Instead of buying a few mangoes every day, many people prefer to visit wholesale fruit markets and purchase an entire basket or 10–12 kilograms at once. Others may receive a large quantity of mangoes as a gift or have them sent from their hometowns or villages.

Buying mangoes in bulk has its advantages. They are fresher, and purchasing in larger quantities is often more economical. However, the main concern is how to store them properly.

If you have bought a large number of mangoes and are wondering how to keep them fresh, the following tips may help:

1. Do not store all the mangoes together

Many people place all the mangoes they buy in a single container, but this is not the best approach. If one mango begins to spoil, it can quickly affect the others. Ideally, store the mangoes so they do not touch one another.

2. Separate ripe and unripe mangoes

If it is not possible to keep each mango separate, sort them according to their ripeness. Keep fully ripe mangoes in one place, partially ripe ones in another, and unripe mangoes separately. Ripe mangoes release ethylene gas, which speeds up the ripening of nearby fruit. If all the mangoes ripen at the same time, they may spoil before they can be eaten.

3. Refrigerate fully ripe mangoes

Once the mangoes are fully ripe, store them in the refrigerator. The cooler temperature slows the ripening process and helps keep them fresh for about five to seven days. However, unripe mangoes should not be refrigerated.

4. Wrap them in newspaper

You can also wrap mangoes individually in newspaper. This allows air to circulate while reducing the risk of contamination. As a result, the mangoes ripen naturally instead of spoiling quickly. This method is especially useful for unripe mangoes.

5. Avoid hot storage areas

Do not store mangoes in direct sunlight or in hot, poorly ventilated places, as heat causes them to over-ripen and spoil more quickly. Likewise, avoid keeping them in plastic bags for long periods. It is also best not to wash mangoes before storing them, as excess moisture can encourage spoilage.