How to Ripen Green Mangoes Faster: Natural Ways to Ripen Mangoes Quickly

It is without a doubt that green mangoes are a favorite tropical fruit of everyone, loved for their tangy taste and versatility in curries and other snacks. 

However, unripe green mangoes are tough and sour, and you can't enjoy eating them as much as you can when you eat ripe ones. If you are looking for a way to ripen mangoes quickly, this guide is for you.

You have to wait for days or weeks for green mangoes to ripen naturally. But here is how you can easily ripen mangoes by following the natural way. 

This way you can enjoy the sweetness of mangoes quickly. By ripening mangoes using this method, you can save your time and frustration for making your favorite mango smoothies or chutneys. 

The taste of the mangoes will be the same as if they were ripened directly from the mango tree, there will be no difference.

In this article, we will look at how you can ripen mangoes quickly without using chemicals and without damaging the fruit. I will share very simple, safe and effective methods that anyone can do at home.

Table of content 

1. Understanding Mango Ripening
2. What Happens When Mangoes Ripen?
3. How to Ripen Green Mangoes Faster at Home
4. What NOT to Do When Trying to Ripen Mangoes Fast
5. How to Know When Mangoes Are Ripe
6. How to Store Ripe Mangoes
7. Conclusion
8. FAQS 

Understanding Mango Ripening

Before we get into these methods, it will help you understand how mangoes ripen first. Mango ripening is a natural biochemical process, and as a result of this process, the starch in the mango turns into sugar, which then softens the mango, allowing its flavor and aroma to fully develop.

The key player in this process is ethylene gas, a natural hormone produced by fruits. It causes mangoes to ripen. By controlling exposure to ethylene, we can influence how quickly mangoes ripen.

What Happens When Mangoes Ripen?

• Sugar content increases, making the fruit sweeter.
• Acidity decreases, reducing sourness.
• Fruit softens, developing a pleasant texture.
• Aroma intensifies, signaling readiness to eat.

Knowing this will help you understand when your mango is fully ripe and ready to enjoy.

How to Ripen Green Mangoes Faster at Home

Here are five of the most popular and effective natural ways to help you ripen mangoes faster, each explained in simple steps.

Comparison Table of Ripening Methods

Method	Timeframe	Key ingredient	Benifits	Notes
Brown paper bag	1 -3 days	Banana or Apple	Traps ethylene, quick results	Avoid overcrowding
Newspaper wrap	2 - 4 days	None	Easy , breathable	Check for mold regularly
Warm place	2 - 5 days	Warm environment	Natural warmth speeds ripening	Avoid direct sunlight
Rice or Grain Bin	1 - 3 days	Uncooked rice	Traps gas and heat	Use old rice to avoid waste
Cloth Bag Method	2 - 4 days	Cotton or muslin bag	Breathable, echo friendly	Good airflow for even ripening

1. Ripen Mangoes Fast Using a Brown Paper Bag

One of the most effective and fastest ways to ripen green mangoes is to use a brown paper bag. When you use this method, the ethylene gas released by the mango is trapped in the brown paper bag, thereby increasing the humidity. This accelerates the natural ripening of the mangoes.

How to do it:

1. Place one to three green mangoes inside a brown paper bag.
2. Add a ripe banana or apple to the bag (these fruits emit lots of ethylene gas).
3. Fold the top of the bag so that it loosely closes.
4. Keep the bag at room temperature (around 70°F or 21°C).
5. Check daily for softness and aroma.

Why it works: The enclosed space concentrates ethylene gas around the mango, which chemically speeds up the mango ripening process.

2. Wrap Mangoes in Newspaper for Natural Ripening

If you don't have a brown paper bag, another option you can choose to ripen your mangoes is to wrap them in newspaper. This is another natural way to mango ripen method that works well.

Instructions:

• Wrap each mango individually in newspaper.
• Store the mangoes in a basket or container at room temperature.
• Check the mangoes daily to make sure they are not moldy or too soft.

This method increases heat and traps ethylene in the mango, which helps the mango ripen in 2 to 4 days.

3. Keep Mangoes in a Warm Place to Ripen Faster

Heat is important for speeding up the ripening process of mangoes. Warm temperatures encourage the production of ethylene, accelerating the natural chemical reactions that occur in the fruit.

Tips:

• You can place the mangoes on the kitchen counter or in a spot nearby, but never in direct sunlight.
• The temperature required for this natural process is between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C).
• Avoid hot spots above 85°F (29°C), as this can cause the mangoes to ripen unevenly or spoil.
• Turn the mangoes over daily so they appear evenly ripened.

If you use heat alone to ripen mangoes, it will take 2 to 5 days for them to ripen, but this process is a gentle and natural way.

4. The Rice or Grain Bin Method — A Traditional Hack

In many mango-growing regions, a common practice is to store mangoes in a container filled with uncooked rice. This is a traditional method of ripening mangoes quickly. The rice absorbs ethylene and retains heat, making it one of the fastest ways to ripen green mangoes naturally.

How to do it:

• Place the cleaned mango in a bowl filled with dry, uncooked rice and soak the mango completely in the rice.
• Keep the bowl in a warm place.
• Check the mangoes daily for softness or odor.
• Mangoes will usually ripen in 1 to 3 days this way.

Pro tip: Use rice that you don’t plan to cook to avoid waste.

5. Cloth Bag Method — Breathable and Eco-Friendly

Another natural way you can try to ripen mangoes without using plastic is to use a cotton or muslin bag. This breathable method captures the ethylene needed to ripen the mangoes, but also helps prevent mold from forming on the mangoes by allowing air circulation.

Steps:

• Place the mango in a clean cotton bag.
• Store in a warm, dry place.
• Check the mango every day until it ripens.

It may take 2 to 4 days for mangoes to ripen.

What NOT to Do When Trying to Ripen Mangoes Fast

To keep your mangoes safe and delicious, avoid these common mistakes:

• Don’t use chemical ripening agents such as calcium carbide — they are harmful to your health.
• Avoid microwaving or baking mangoes; heat cooks them instead of ripening, resulting in poor flavor and texture.
• Don’t store unripe mangoes in plastic bags; this traps moisture and promotes mold.
• Avoid refrigerating green mangoes because cold slows or stops ripening entirely.

How to Know When Mangoes Are Ripe

After you speed up the mango ripening process, you need to know exactly when your mangoes are fully ripe:

• Color Change: Depending on the variety of mango, the skin may change from green to yellow, red, or orange.
• Sweet Aroma: The strong smell of mango near the stem means it's ripe.
• Slight Softness: Mangoes give to gentle pressure without feeling mushy.
• Wrinkled Skin: Some varieties develop light wrinkles when ripe.
• Juice Oozing: A small amount of juice near the stem is a good sign.

How to Store Ripe Mangoes

Once the mangoes are ripe, you should store them properly to maximize their freshness:

• Refrigerate: Place ripe mangoes in the fridge for up to 5–7 days.
• Freeze: Peel and slice mangoes, then freeze in airtight containers or freezer bags for smoothies and desserts.
• Preserve: To preserve your mangoes for longer, make mango pulp, jam, or chutney.

Conclusion

I believe you have understood from this article how to ripen mangoes quickly. Ripening a mango is easy even for you. Put the mangoes in a brown paper bag, warm places, or rice paper. 

I have brought you only such natural methods. Ripening mangoes using chemicals can be very harmful to your body. Therefore, always look for natural methods. When you follow natural methods, you can enjoy sweet and delicious mangoes without any hassle.

The next time you pick a tough green mango, be sure to try these methods. You can try this method to ripen green mangoes within a few days and enjoy their taste. 

Whether you are making a smoothie or eating them fresh, knowing these ways to ripen green mangoes quickly will make your mango experience delicious and timely.

FAQS 

Q: Can mangoes ripen after being cut?

No, Mangoes stop ripening if you cut them, so always ripen them before cutting them.

Q: What’s the fastest method to ripen mangoes at home?

Using a brown paper bag with a banana or apple is the quickest and safest way.

Q: Why do some mangoes never ripen?

Mangoes that are harvested before they reach the ripe stage are difficult to ripen. If they do ripen, they will not have the natural flavor of the mango.

Q: Is the rice method safe?

Yes, Just make sure the rice is dry and clean, and you regularly check the ripeness of the mango.