The honey season is under way, and many people are now buying tree-ripened mangoes from different parts of the country. Some order online, others through acquaintances, and many buy a large quantity at once.

Yet many do not know how to store the mangoes once they arrive. Without proper storage the fruit can spoil or over-ripen. Here is what to do.

• Take the mangoes out of the crate or box as soon as possible after they arrive.
• Do not put them straight on the floor. Spread clean straw, jute sacking or newspaper and lay them on top.
• Never tip all the mangoes on to the floor at once. Place them one by one by hand.
• Make sure no part of a mango is knocked while you store it. A bruised spot turns black and starts to rot, and the fruit is then no longer fit to eat.

• Keep mangoes in a shaded place out of the sun.
• Store them at normal room temperature.
• A good mango turns yellow when ripe; it never turns white.
• To tell whether a mango is ripe, do not press it. Hold it to your nose instead: a ripe mango gives off a sweet smell.
• The sap that collects at the stalk can make your mouth itch if the fruit is eaten without washing, and can even cause sores where it itches, so take care.
• Do not carry mangoes in polythene bags. For larger quantities use cardboard cartons, wooden boxes or plastic crates.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.