When you feel the scorching heat of summer is becoming unbearable, a soothing glass of mango drink provides some relief. In fact, most of you would agree that sweet and juicy mangoes are one of the few things that people enjoy during this season. Therefore, we try to include fruits in our summer diet in every possible way. According to Y20India.in, there are more than 1500 types of mangoes around the world, each with its own unique taste, texture and aroma. In fact, in India, you will find fruit shops selling more than six to eight different types of mangoes in each region. Although we strongly recommend that you try every variety of mango, you only need to consider whether the fruit is naturally ripe or not.
Organic vs Artificially Ripe Mangoes: What’s the Difference?
Simply put, naturally ripe mango is one that is plucked and sold after being ripe. On the other hand, artificially ripened fruits use chemicals to enhance their premature growth, taste and texture. According to Ashwin Bhadri, CEO of Equinox Labs, “The trend of artificial ripening of mangoes is increasing across India. The main reason for this is the imbalance between the supply of the product in the market and the increasing demand from customers.”
Also read: 5 tips to buy the best mangoes in summer
Photo Credit: iStock
How are mangoes ripened using chemicals? What is Calcium Carbide?
You will often find elders at home asking whether the mango they are buying contains carbide. So, what is carbide? Carbide, or calcium carbide, is a chemical used to artificially ripen mangoes. Ashwin Bhadri explains that calcium carbide pouches are kept with the mangoes, which produce acetylene gas as soon as they come in contact with moisture. He added, “The effect of this gas is similar to that of ethylene – the compound that naturally ripens a fruit.”
A study in the journal Analytical Methods states, “The use of calcium carbide to ripen mangoes leads to serious health problems like neurological disorders, ulcers, hypoxia, memory loss and more. Identification of artificially ripe mangoes and such Determining the amount of carbide in fruits can help prevent related health problems.” In fact, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) prohibits the use of chemicals for artificial cooking in view of health problems.
Also read: Enjoying Summer with Mango – 10 Popular Mango Varieties in India You Must Try
Photo Credit: iStock
How to Identify Ripe Mangoes with Calcium Carbide: 4 Tips to Determine the Chemicals in Mangoes
According to the website alphonsomango.in, there are some simple tricks to find out whether mangoes are ripe with chemicals or not. Let us tell you.
1. Look Test:
If ripe mangoes look unnaturally uniform and there are no fruit flies or insects around, it may be due to the strong smell of chemicals in the fruit.
2. Water Test:
Mangoes will float on water when ripened artificially. So after buying mangoes put them in a bucket of water to check whether they are organic or not.
3. Taste Test:
Compared to organic mangoes, artificially ripened mangoes will taste less juicy and weigh lighter.
4. Matchstick Test:
Although it is advisable to perform this test with utmost safety, you can light a matchstick and bring it near the mango. If the fruit catches fire or starts glowing then understand that it has been cooked with calcium carbide.
How to remove carbide from mango at home?
The easiest and most effective way is to wash it thoroughly under running water and soak the fruit in a vinegar-water solution for about 15 minutes. An article on alphonsomango.in also states that you can use baking soda and water to soak mangoes for at least 15 minutes and wash them thoroughly to remove chemical residues.
So what are you waiting for? Grab your favorite mangoes and enjoy them without any worries. Happy summer everyone!
