10 tips to get the best out of a sweet tropical beauty

• Check the ripeness of your mango by touch and smell

Don't rely on colour, as it tells you little about ripeness. A mango is ideal when it yields slightly to gentle pressure and gives off a sweet fragrance. Small dark spots can be a sign of full ripeness.

• Cut the mango lengthwise along the flat pit

Stand the mango upright and slice the flesh off on the right and left, close to the flat, oval pit. This yields two large pieces. You can then remove the remaining flesh directly from the pit.

• Score the flesh for perfect cubes

Make lengthwise and crosswise cuts in the mango halves while they are still in the skin, without piercing the skin. Then push the skin outwards – the typical “mango hedgehog” forms. The pieces can then be removed very easily.

• Peel the mango as thinly as possible

Use a vegetable peeler or a sharp knife with a thin blade. Be careful not to cut too deep to retain as much flesh as possible. This makes the most of the mango.

• Use the glass trick for very ripe mangoes

Place a drinking glass against the mango half and slide it between the skin and the flesh. With ripe mangoes the flesh can be lifted almost completely this way. It saves time and produces clean pieces.

• Let unripe mangoes ripen intentionally

Because mangoes are often harvested unripe, you can wrap them in paper and keep them at room temperature. They will ripen within a few days and develop their full, sweet aroma.

• Do not store mangoes below 8 °C

Tropical fruits do not tolerate low temperatures. Do not store mangoes in the fridge. Ripe fruits should ideally be eaten within two days.

• Use mangoes widely in drinks and dishes

Mango is excellent for juices, smoothies, cocktails or the classic mango lassi. It also goes well with yoghurt, quark, desserts or savoury dishes like curries. It adds a fruity note to many recipes.

• Pair mango with selected spices

Mango pairs particularly well with ingredients such as ginger, chilli, cardamom or curry. These create an intriguing contrast to the fruit's sweetness and result in versatile, flavourful dishes.

• Freeze mango for long-term use

Cut ripe mango into pieces and freeze them individually first. You can then store them in containers for up to 8-10 months. That way you always have a handy ingredient for smoothies or desserts.