Mango Season Is Here: How to Pick a Ripe Mango

Quick answer: Mango season is here. The 2026 harvest started late but is now underway in Queensland, and mangoes should be around into autumn. To pick a ripe mango, smell the stem end (it should smell sweet and fruity) and press gently (it should give a little). Don't judge by colour alone. Small marks, scratches or sun spots on the skin are normal and don't affect the fruit inside. Soft, sunken bruises, mould or a sour smell are the things to avoid.

Mango season 2026: what's happening

Australia grows somewhere between 100 and 140 million mangoes a year. This season the harvest got off to a later start than usual, with picking beginning in Queensland in October and November. Supply is expected to continue into autumn, and as more fruit comes from Queensland, prices should ease.

You'll see Kensington Pride (often called Bowen mangoes) and R2E2 in shops now, along with Calypso, an Australian variety known for its smooth, fibre-free flesh.

How to pick a ripe mango

1. Smell the stem end. A ripe mango smells sweet, fruity and tropical. No smell usually means it needs a few more days.
2. Press gently. Hold it in your palm and squeeze lightly. A ripe mango gives a little, like a ripe peach. Rock hard means not ready. Very soft or mushy means it's past its best.
3. Don't rely on colour. Different varieties ripen to different colours. Kensington Pride turns golden yellow, often with a pink blush, while R2E2 can stay greener with a red blush even when ripe.
4. Feel the weight. A good mango feels heavy for its size, a sign of juicy flesh.
5. Look at the shape. Choose a plump, full mango rather than a flat or shrivelled one.

Why a mark on the skin doesn't mean bad fruit

Here's something many shoppers don't know. Supermarkets reject an estimated 20 to 40% of Australian mangoes, mostly because of how they look rather than how they taste. Mangoes can miss out for being the wrong size or shape, or for marks on the skin from sunlight or rubbing against branches.

The Australian mango industry says the same thing: small skin marks and blemishes are normal and won't affect the flesh inside. As one food rescue business put it, a mango doesn't need to look perfect to taste good.

Marks that are fine:

• Branch rub and scratches: light brown scuffs from the fruit rubbing on the tree.
• Sun marks: a paler or browner patch where the sun hit the fruit.
• Sap marks: dark streaks near the stem, where sap dripped when the mango was picked.
• Small freckles: tiny dots on the skin, common on some varieties.
• An odd shape: lopsided mangoes taste just as good.

Signs to avoid:

• Soft, sunken or watery patches (bruising)
• Fluffy mould, especially around the stem
• Black areas that spread into the flesh
• A sour, alcoholic or fermented smell
• Juice leaking through the skin

How to ripen and store mangoes

• Ripen at room temperature. Leave firm mangoes on the bench, out of direct sun, for a few days.
• Speed it up with a paper bag. Pop the mango in a paper bag, with a banana if you're in a hurry.
• Never use a plastic bag. Mangoes need air to ripen well.
• Refrigerate once ripe. A ripe mango keeps in the fridge for a few days.
• Freeze the extras. Cube ripe mango and freeze it for smoothies and desserts.

Received a mango box that's still a little firm? That's normal, and it means the fruit travelled well. Leave it on the bench for a day or two until it smells sweet.

Easy ways to enjoy mangoes this summer

• Mango cheeks: slice off each side, score the flesh in a grid and push it inside out.
• Christmas pavlova: top with mango, passionfruit and berries.
• Summer salad: mango with prawns, avocado and lime.
• Breakfast: mango with yoghurt and granola.
• Mango sorbet: blend frozen mango with a squeeze of lime.

Send a mango box this Christmas

A box of mangoes is an Aussie summer tradition and one of the most loved Christmas gifts we send. It suits families, neighbours, clients and anyone who would rather have fruit than chocolate.

• Small Christmas Mango Box: eight mangoes, ideal for one or two people.
• Christmas Mango Box in a Black Gift Box: simple and stylish, ready to put under the tree.
• Christmas Mango Box with a Red Bow: 12 mangoes for a family Christmas.
• Calypso Mango Gift Box, Large: a big box of Calypso mangoes for the true mango lover.
• Festive Mango and Stone Fruit Christmas Box: mangoes with seasonal stone fruit.

Browse all our mango boxes, or send several to clients with our corporate hampers service. Mango boxes are delivered to NSW, the ACT, Victoria and Queensland, and dispatched Monday to Thursday. Check the cut-offs in our Christmas delivery dates 2026 guide.

Frequently asked questions

When is mango season in Australia?

Mangoes start in the Northern Territory around August or September, then move to Queensland, northern NSW and WA. The peak is December and January. In 2026 the Queensland harvest started a little late, in October and November, and supply is expected to last into autumn.

How can you tell if a mango is ripe without cutting it?

Smell the stem end and press gently. A ripe mango smells sweet and gives slightly under your fingers. Colour isn't reliable because it depends on the variety.

Is it safe to eat a mango with black spots on the skin?

Usually, yes. Small dark spots and streaks on the skin are often sap marks or freckles and don't affect the flesh. Avoid mangoes with soft, sunken patches, mould or a sour smell.

Should mangoes be kept in the fridge?

Only once they're ripe. Ripen them on the bench first, then refrigerate for a few days.

Why are some mangoes rejected by supermarkets?

Mostly for looks. Size, shape, sun marks and branch rub can see good fruit rejected, even when it tastes great.

See what else is in season in what fruit is in season for Christmas 2026.

Shop mango boxes

Sources

• FreshPlaza, Up to 40% of Australian mangoes rejected over cosmetic defects, 10 November 2026
• FreshPlaza, Spring vegetable supplies rise in Australia as stone fruit season begins, 6 November 2026
• Australian Mangoes, When are mangoes ready to eat?