Find the most important etiquette rules on how to serve and eat mango and tips to be the ideal host or the perfect guest at the dining table.
What mango etiquette is
Mango etiquette is the set of rules to properly serve and eat mango. Such rules help avoid behaviors that can disrespect your hosts or guests, or make you look unpolite.
If you are hosting, follow mango etiquette to appropriately serve it to your guests.
If you are a guest, respect mango etiquette rules to properly eat and enjoy it.
What you should know about mango
Mango is an edible fruit. It is originally from South Asia. India is the major producer, accounting for half of the global production.
Mangoes are green, yellow, orange, or red in color. They have a single large pit inside. Mango has a juicy texture and a sweet exotic aroma.
Etiquette tips to serve and eat mango
1) How to store mango
Store whole mangoes out of the fridge if they are not ripe. Store them in a cool place. Away from sources of heat or direct light. Keep them there for 1 to 3 days, until they ripen.
Store ripe mangoes in the fridge. Avoid placing them in a sealed container. Do not wrap them in plastic. They will last about 5 or 7 days. A peeled and sliced mango can last up to 2 or 3 days.
In the freezer, mangoes will last for 10 or 12 months.
2) How to clean mango
Always wash an uncut mango before eating it or slicing it. Even a quick wash decreases the risk of contamination from pesticides or other chemicals.
Place the mango in a bowl of water. Leave it there for 5 to 10 minutes. Then, wash it under running water. Dry them on a kitchen cloth.
3) How to prepare mango
Cut the mango in halves with a knife. Slice the fruit all around the pit. Then, separate the two halves and remove the pit. Finally, slice or chop the fruit.
The skin of the mango is edible. You can eat it or remove it. Usually, it is best to keep it. The skin of the mango contributes to the overall aroma of the fruit.
Mango is ideal for fruit salads. Add it to yogurt or ice cream. Make chutneys, pickles, jams, or sauces. Use it to make juices.
Squeeze fresh, sliced mangoes with lemon juice to prevent them from turning dark.
4) How to serve & present mango
You can serve mango for breakfast, as a snack, or as a fruit course after a meal.
It is uncommon to serve whole mangoes. Instead, chop them and serve them in chunks. Serve mango in a fruit bowl or in small individual cups. Present it with a serving spoon. It is best to remove the skin, as some guests might not like it.
Serve mango at room temperature. Take it out of the fridge between 30 minutes and 1 hour before serving.
5) Food and wine to pair mango with
The aroma of mangoes combines well with caramel or vanilla.
In a fruit salad, pair mango with apples, melon, or watermelon. With berries, such as blackberries, raspberries, or blueberries. With other tropical fruits, like banana, kiwi, or coconut. Add citrus fruit, such as lemon or lime juice.
Pair mango with white wine. Chardonnay. Chenin Blanc. Pinot Grigio. Gewurztraminer. Another option is to accompany it with dessert wine. Such as Sauternes or Muscat.
6) How to eat mango
When mangoes are served whole, place one on your plate. Cut the mango in halves with a knife. Slice the fruit all around the pit. Then, separate the two halves and remove the pit. You can discard the skin, or keep it and eat it. Eat the mango with a fork and a knife.
If the mango is served in chunks or slices, eat it with a spoon or a fork.
Mango etiquette: the worst mistakes
Avoid the worst mango etiquette mistakes.
- 8/10. Serving spoiled mango.
- 7/10. Serving unripe mango.
- 7/10. Eating mango with your fingers.
Additional information for properly serving mango
How many calories per serving?
Counting calories is important to stay healthy and to correctly plan a menu.
Mangoes contain 60 calories per 100 grams. A single raw mango weighs around 330 grams and contains about 200 calories.
How to buy the best mango
A crucial factor in mango etiquette is to serve the best product possible to your guests.
Season and availability
The season for mangoes starts in late May and goes on until mid-September.
Choose the best
Ripe mangoes have smooth skin with a strong aroma. They should be firm and yield a little give. If the fruit has soft spots, it is overripe.
Alternatives to mango
The most common substitutes for mango are other tropical fruits with a comparable texture. Such as papaya.