Mangoes are a delicious tropical fruit that come in a variety of colors, shapes, sizes, and flavors. While ripe mangoes are soft, fragrant, and brightly colored, unripe or green mangoes are hard, sour, and lack strong aroma. This leads many to wonder: are green mangoes simply unripe versions of the ripe fruit we know and love?
What is a Green Mango?
A green mango refers to an unripe, raw mango fruit that is green in color and firm to the touch. Green mangoes are harvested while still unripe and gradually allowed to ripen off the tree. This allows them to be transported long distances while avoiding damage and spoilage. However, green mangoes can also be eaten in their unripened state.
Young, unripe mangoes are bright green with a firm, starchy pulp. As a mango ripens, its skin turns yellow, orange, red or blushes with various shades. The starch converts to natural sugars, making the flesh juicy, aromatic and sweet. Inside, the flesh changes from white to yellow, orange or saffron. So in essence, a green mango is the unripened, raw version of a ripe mango.
Differences Between Green and Ripe Mangoes
There are some key differences between green and ripe mangoes in terms of appearance, texture, taste and nutritional profile:
- Appearance: Green mangoes are green in color while ripe mangoes display shades of yellow, orange, red and purple skin.
- Texture: Green mangoes are firm and starchy while ripe mangoes are soft and juicy with tender flesh.
- Taste: Green mangoes are sour and tart since they lack sugars. Ripe mangoes are sweet and fragrant.
- Nutrition: Green mangoes have higher starch content and fewer antioxidants like beta carotene as compared to ripe mangoes.
Here is a comparison table of the major differences:
| Characteristic | Green Mango | Ripe Mango |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Green skin | Yellow, orange, red, purple skin |
| Texture | Hard, firm, starchy | Tender, soft, juicy |
| Taste | Sour, tart | Sweet, fragrant |
| Nutrition | Higher starch, fewer antioxidants | Natural sugars, antioxidants like beta carotene |
How Does a Green Mango Become Ripe?
Mangoes ripen naturally on the tree. During the ripening process, chlorophyll (the green pigment) breaks down and other pigments like carotenoids become prominent. The starch content converts into simple sugars. Enzymes act on cell wall fibers to make the flesh juicy and soft.
When harvested unripe, mangoes will eventually ripen off the tree at room temperature. The ripening process can be hastened by keeping mangoes in a paper bag which traps ethylene gas produced naturally by the fruits. Once ripe, mangoes can be stored in the refrigerator to slow down further ripening.
Here are the key changes that occur as a green mango ripens:
- Skin color changes from green to shades of yellow, orange, red or purple
- Flesh softens from starchy and firm to tender and juicy
- Flavor improves from sour and tart to aromatic and sweet
- Nutritional profile changes with a decrease in starch and increase in sugars, antioxidants, etc.
- Texture becomes more palatable as fibers break down
These wide-ranging physical and chemical changes transform the sour, astringent green mango into the sweet, delicious ripe mango fruit.
Uses of Green Mangoes
Though green mangoes are unpalatably sour, they are consumed and used in various ways:
- Eaten raw with salt and spices in Asia
- Pickled and preserved as condiments in Indian and Thai cuisine
- Made into chutneys, pickles, preserves and candies
- Added to curries and stir fries
- Juiced and made into beverages
- Used to make mango starch noodles in Chinese cuisine
- Extracted pectin used as gelling agent in food
The tangy sourness of green mangoes balances sweet, salty, and spicy flavors in various dishes. The raw fruit is eaten dipped in salt, chili powder or masala blends. Green mango chutney and pickles are popular in Indian cooking. The fruit’s pectin and starch make it useful for thickening agents too.
Nutritional Profile
Green and ripe mangoes have the following nutritional values per 100 g of edible portion:
| Nutrient | Green Mango | Ripe Mango |
|---|---|---|
| Water | 83.46 g | 83.46 g |
| Energy | 192 kJ | 336 kJ |
| Carbohydrates | 15.65 g | 17.00 g |
| Sugars | 3.88 g | 14.80 g |
| Dietary fiber | 1.8 g | 1.6 g |
| Fat | 0.27 g | 0.27 g |
| Protein | 0.51 g | 0.51 g |
| Vitamin C | 27.7 mg | 27.7 mg |
| Calcium | 10 mg | 10 mg |
| Iron | 0.13 mg | 0.13 mg |
As seen above, green and ripe mangoes have similar nutrient content except for sugar and starch composition. Green mangoes contain more starch while ripe mangoes contain simple sugars like sucrose, glucose, and fructose that make them sweet.
Ripe mangoes also contain more beneficial antioxidants like beta carotene and Vitamin A precursor due to breakdown of chlorophyll and other pigments.
Potential Health Benefits
Some potential health benefits of green vs ripe mangoes:
- Green mangoes – high in pectin, may help moderate blood sugar levels.
- Ripe mangoes – high antioxidant content from carotenoids, beneficial for immunity and eyesight.
- Both – provide vitamin C, fiber and minerals like potassium, copper, and magnesium.
- Green mango extracts showed anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties in some studies.
However, both are high in natural sugar so moderation is key, especially for diabetics or weight watchers. Overall, mangoes are a healthy fruit option when enjoyed in moderation.
Conclusion
Green and ripe mangoes differ substantially in appearance, texture, taste and nutritional profile. A green mango is simply an unripe, raw version of the ripe fruit. Allowing green mangoes time to ripen leads to development of flavor, aroma, color and a juicy, tender texture.
While green mangoes can be eaten, they are largely used in cooking applications where their sourness adds flavor. Ripe mangoes can be enjoyed fresh or in various sweet and savory dishes. Both green and ripe mangoes offer nutritional benefits when consumed in moderation.
So in summary, green mangoes are not a different fruit, but simply the unripened form of the familiar sweet mango fruit. Letting them ripen transforms green mangoes into the soft, fragrant, nutritious mangoes we all know and love!