Mangoes are renowned for their sweet and juicy flavour. However, dishonest practises are present on the market, and customers are now wary of artificially aged mangoes. Using chemicals and other techniques, fruit is artificially ripened, degrading its flavour, nutritional value and posing significant health hazards. In this post, we’ll look at various techniques for identifying mangoes that have been artificially aged. By doing this, you’ll be better equipped to make decisions and ensure that you get to experience the true, unadulterated goodness of this tropical fruit.
Understanding the Risks of Artificial Ripening
Before diving into the identification techniques, it’s essential to understand the dangers of eating mangoes that have been artificially ripened. Chemicals like calcium carbide, ethephon, and different pesticides may be used to speed up the ripening process. Consuming these chemicals can result in long-term complications and health problems like nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. To protect your health, it is crucial to recognise and steer clear of mangoes that have been artificially ripened.
Examine the texture and colour
Depending on the variety, naturally ripened mangoes display distinct colour variations. Look closely at the fruit’s skin tone because mangoes that have been chemically ripened often have an unnaturally uniform and bright appearance. Mangoes that have been artificially ripened may seem mostly yellow with little variety, unlike naturally ripened mangoes, which often have a mixture of green, yellow, and red colours. Mangoes chemically ripened may also have uneven texture and be softer than natural mangoes.
Assess the Aroma
A ripe mango’s scent is a great sign of its freshness. Mangoes artificially ripened frequently lack the deep, delicious aroma that distinguishes organically matured fruits. Mangoes should be examined by gently pressing the fruit close to the stem and sniffing it. A sweet, pleasant aroma indicates a mango’s natural ripening process; in contrast, artificial ripening may be indicated by a faint or chemical-like aroma.
Check for Uniform Ripening
Mangoes that ripen naturally typically have uneven ripening, with some portions of the fruit being softer and more mature than others. On the other hand, mangoes that have been artificially ripened usually ripen consistently without this difference. Squeeze the mango gently to check for soft spots or overly hard places. If the entire fruit feels uniformly soft or hard, it may indicate artificial ripening.
Examine the Ripening Time
The time it takes for the mangoes to mature after purchase indicates whether they have been artificially ripened. Natural mangoes normally take a few days to ripen at room temperature. However, because of the chemicals employed in the process, artificially ripened mangoes risk becoming overripe or rotten quickly. The mango is probably artificially ripened if it ripens too quickly or turns mushy sooner than desired.
Source from Reliable and Certified Vendors
Mangoes can be purchased from reliable, certified merchants or organic markets with less chance of getting fruit that has been artificially ripened. Such merchants uphold quality standards, ensuring that the mangoes they sell are ripened ethically or naturally.
