What is Black Dots on Mango? Is it safe to eat?

If you’re accustomed to seeing the regular red-green, orange-yellow colours on your mango’s skin, seeing black spots on the surface may seem unusual.

But what are those enigmatic black specks, and why are they damaging your mango’s complexion? Would your mangoes be safe to eat if they have them?

What Are the Black Dots on Mango?

Lenticel damage, a condition known as bacterial black spot, or fruit rotting may all generate black spots on mangoes. It is safe to eat if the black spots have only harmed the skin or a little portion of the meat that can be taken away. If the black spots have taken over the majority of the mango or if it is decaying, it is better to discard it.

What Causes Black Dots on Mangoes?

Black spots are generally undesirable on any form of food. Depending on the amount, they may be unattractive and detract from the hunger appeal of fruits. But what creates them in fruits, particularly mangoes?

Three options are discussed below.

1. Lenticel Damage

Mangoes are delicate fruits. They detest excessive cold and intense heat (aren’t we all?). They dislike stress as well, and if they are exposed to it, they may react by producing black spots on their skin. This is referred to as Lenticel Damage (LD), often known as discolouration or spotting.

Simply put, lenticels are pores that enable the mango to breathe. When the mango interacts with the environment around it, oxygen and carbon dioxide travel via these pores. That is also where water vapor flows through during the plant transpiration process.

Several studies believe that lenticels are part of the mango’s defensive mechanism. As the mango is stressed, the lenticels react by producing dark-colored substances called phenolics, which build protective barriers around the lenticels, resulting in apparent black patches.

Other substances released by the mango in reaction to stress may also cause cell walls to collapse, allowing the phenolic to escape and combine with other enzymes that induce browning.

The precise trigger and process are unclear, since it may occur at any point between harvest and packaging. Certain types are more prone to it than others, and bigger and more ripe fruit are more likely to have it.

Wet growth and handling conditions, as well as rubbing and brushing, all enhance the risk of LD. In any event, it is reasonable to conclude that your mango does not appreciate too much drama, otherwise it will get obviously anxious.

Bacterial Black Spots

Black specks on your mangoes might be caused by bacterial illness. Bacterial Black Spots, or BBS, are caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv.mangiferae-indicae. (Try saying it aloud).

This is distinct from LD in that the spots are often larger and more irregular in form, and they are elevated from the mango’s skin, which may also be oily around the borders. When the spots or afflicted black patches combine, they might explode and pour forth sticky fluid teeming with germs.

Bacterial black spots spread by wind and rain, insects, and moisture, and warm temperatures aid in their spread.

Bacterial black spot infection is a dangerous and contagious disease for mango orchards that must be treated or producers will lose a considerable amount of cash and production. Bacterial black spots on vegetables may render it ugly and unsellable.

Fruit Rotting

Another explanation for black specks on your mango is age. A mango’s skin may acquire black spots as it ages and ripens, similar to that of a banana. This is what occurs as anything matures.

If you see black specks on your mangoes, this indicates that they are overripe. This does not necessary imply that the mangoes are rotten at this stage. If you leave them alone and do not eat them, the black spots will proliferate and finally take over your mango, turning it black.

This indicates that your mango has already gone rotten. It will inform you by its fragrance, texture, and look.

So Can I Still Eat A Mango That Has Black Dots on the Skin?

It is normally safe to consume mangoes with black dots on their skin since these black spots usually just affect the surface of the mangoes and do not enter the meat, particularly if the black spots are caused by lenticel damage.

Nonetheless, cutting open the mango is still the best way to determine. You may consume the mango if it has no black spots or strange coloring. If you see any black spots, you may cut them out and continue to eat your mango as usual.

If you see a lot of black spots and discoloration, it’s probable that whatever was on the surface has begun to damage the interior, and the mango won’t be delicious at this point, so it may not be worth ingesting anyhow. Numerous black patches on mango flesh might signal that it is rotting.

If your mango is predominantly black in color and has a weird odor and mushy feel, it signals that it has gone bad and should be destroyed.

If you are undecided, I would encourage you to err on the side of caution. Eating mangoes should be a pleasurable experience, yet beginning with many elevated black dots combining to leak forth bacterial-filled nectar is hardly the most delicious thing in the world.

How Should I Store My Mangoes?

Mangoes may be kept at room temperature if they are unripe or need to ripen further. If you want to speed up the ripening process, store them in a brown paper bag or set them next to other fruits.

Mangoes that are placed in the refrigerator will no longer ripen; thus, if you want them to ripen, do not place them inside.

Mangoes that have been left whole may be stored in the fridge for 1-2 weeks. If they’ve already been sliced, they’ll only survive a few days since they’ve been exposed to oxidation and will decompose quicker.

Mangos may also be stored in the freezer. If you want to freeze your mangoes, cut the flesh into cubes and set them on a baking dish without the peel in the freezer.

After the pieces have frozen on the sheet, store them in a freezer bag or other freezer-safe container. This makes it easy to include them into your meals, particularly smoothies.

How Do I Efficiently Slice or Cube My Mango?

Hold the mango in a vertical position to chop it. To produce two mango cheeks, cut down each side of the pit. Make vertical slashes on each cheek with a tiny knife, being careful not to cut through the skin.

You may scoop out your mango at this point, or if you prefer smaller cubes, make horizontal slices before scooping out the flesh with a spoon.

I Heard Mangoes Are Healthy. Can I Eat Them Every day?

Mangoes provide several health advantages. They are high in vitamin C, which is required for cell development and repair and is a vital antioxidant. It includes vitamin K, which aids with blood sugar management and bone health. It is high in fiber, which benefits intestinal health.

It includes antioxidants, which aid the body in eliminating free radicals, which lead to aging. It promotes heart health and may lessen our vulnerability to some forms of cancer.

Mangoes pack a nutritious punch and are excellent to eat on a daily basis; however, I would suggest diversifying your intake of fruits and vegetables since it is crucial for our bodies to acquire as many different forms of vitamins and minerals as possible.

And, as the saying goes, if you have too much of a good thing, it will no longer be good. Mangoes are really tasty, but you should also try other great fruits and veggies.

Frequently Asked Questions to Black Dots on Mango

Conclusion to Black Dots on Mango

Lenticel damage, bacterial black spots, or rotting are the most common causes of black dots on mango skin. To see whether your mangoes are still edible, cut them open and examine the flesh.

If there are no black patches, the meat is safe to consume. If there are any dark patches, you may cut them out and discard them. If the mango flesh is extensively spotted and shows other symptoms of deterioration, it has ruined and should be discarded.