It is common to find chemically-ripened mangoes in huge numbers in the market in the summer. Fruit sellers are known to inject calcium carbide into raw fruits which releases acetylene gas after coming into contact with moisture.
This ripens the mangoes quickly but also poses serious health risks, such as respiratory problems, gastrointestinal issues and skin issues. Here are six ways to find if a mango is ripened artificially.
One should check the colour of the mangoes. Artificially ripened mangoes have green spots on them.
Generally, the artificially ripened mangoes are small in size and their juice is dripping from the fruit.
Mangoes, when submerged in the water, should sink if they are naturally ripe. Artificially ripened mangoes generally float in water.
Naturally ripened mangoes are generally soft and those in which chemicals have been injected may be hard in some places.
Mangoes which smell fruity and sweet are naturally ripened. However, if they smell sour or alcoholic, they may be spoilt.
Mangoes, which are naturally ripened have brown spots and those in which chemicals have been injected have blue or white spots.