When you order from Baagh-e-Aziz, your mangoes arrive green and unripe. This is intentional — it protects them during transit and ensures maximum shelf life. Within 2 to 3 days, they ripen naturally at home. But if you want to speed things up — or slow them down — here are five proven methods to ripen mangoes at home.
1. Leave them at room temperature
The simplest method. Place your mangoes on the kitchen counter away from direct sunlight. At room temperature (around 25 to 30 degrees Celsius as it typically is in Pakistani summers), Baagh-e-Aziz mangoes ripen within 2 to 3 days. Check daily by gently pressing — a slight give means they are ready.
2. Wrap in newspaper
Wrapping each mango individually in newspaper traps the ethylene gas that fruits naturally release during ripening. This creates a micro-environment that speeds up the process by about 12 to 24 hours. Great if you want them ready for the next day.
3. Store in a paper bag
A paper bag works on the same principle as newspaper — it traps ethylene gas. Place 2 to 3 mangoes in a paper bag, fold the top loosely, and leave at room temperature. They will ripen noticeably faster than if left in the open.
4. Place near ripe bananas
Ripe bananas release a high concentration of ethylene gas. Place your mangoes next to ripe bananas in a bowl or paper bag and they will ripen faster. This is the oldest trick in the book and it genuinely works.
5. Slow down ripening in the refrigerator
Already ripe and not ready to eat? Place ripe mangoes in the refrigerator to pause the ripening process. They will keep for 3 to 5 days in the fridge. Important: do NOT refrigerate unripe mangoes — cold temperatures damage the ripening process and affect the flavour.
How to know when your mango is perfectly ripe
A ripe mango gives slightly when you press it gently with your thumb — similar to a ripe avocado. The skin may start to wrinkle slightly near the stem end. The aroma near the stem becomes noticeably sweet and fruity. For Anwar Ratol and Chaunsa, the fragrance is a particularly reliable indicator.
Order your farm-fresh mangoes at www.baagheaziz.com and let them ripen naturally at home for the best experience.