Storage, Ripening & Handling
How to store ripe Pakistani mangoes, fridge, freezer, dehydrator
A ripe Pakistani mango lasts 4-5 days in the fridge and 6 months in the freezer. Here's the full handling guide.
6 min read · published 9 June 2026
Refrigeration, once they're ripe, not before
Move ripe mangoes to the fridge in a single layer on a plate or shelf. Do not seal in a bag, trapped moisture accelerates skin spoilage.
At 4°C, ripe mangoes hold peak flavour for 4-5 days. After that the aroma starts to flatten even though the fruit looks fine.
Whole vs cut storage
Whole, intact mangoes store longest. Once cut, mango oxidises quickly, wrap cut fruit tightly in cling film against the cut surface and refrigerate up to 48 hours.
Cut mango in a sealed container with a teaspoon of lemon juice slows oxidation by another 24 hours.
Freezing, the proper method
Peel and cube the ripe mango. Spread the cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment and freeze for 2 hours (this is called open-freezing and prevents the cubes sticking together).
Transfer the frozen cubes to a sealed bag, press out the air, and freeze for up to 6 months. Frozen mango is excellent for lassi, kulfi and smoothies but loses its texture for eating raw.
Freezing as purée
For maximum storage life, blend ripe mango to a smooth purée, pour into 200g portions in silicone bags, and freeze. Purée keeps 12 months and defrosts identically to fresh.
Don't freeze in glass, mango purée expands as it freezes and will crack jars.
Dehydrating
Slice ripe mango into 5mm strips, dehydrate at 57°C for 8-12 hours, store in airtight jars for 6 months at room temperature.
Dehydrating concentrates the sugar dramatically, the GI nearly doubles, so dried mango is more of a treat than a daily snack. The flavour, however, intensifies in a way that's almost magical.
Frequently asked
- Can I refrigerate unripe mangoes?
- No, temperatures below 13°C cause chilling injury and the fruit will never ripen properly.
- Why did my refrigerated mango turn brown?
- Cut mango oxidises within hours. Wrap tightly against the cut surface or add a squeeze of lemon juice.
- Does frozen mango taste as good as fresh?
- For purée, lassi and kulfi, identical. For eating raw, texture is lost. Use accordingly.