Despite mango being one of the more tropical fruits in the supermarket, they are very popular all year round. They are available to buy whenever you are bored of the day-to-day fruits.
Mango is the national fruit of its original country (India), and for a good reason! It is not only a delicious tropical fruit but also one of the most versatile fruits in the world.
It can be enjoyed raw on a hot summer’s day or be dried and slightly sweetened to be used in a snack mix.
Most supermarkets may supply mango all year, but that does not mean they will always be in the best condition. For those months when no supermarket mango seems ripe enough to snack on, other fruit can help fill that craving.
Our 3 Substitutes for Mango
Mango does not easily lose its flavour, no matter how it is used. However, depending on how ripe the mango is, it will vary slightly in flavour.
Ripe mangos are the sweetest of mangos and make for the perfect snack. They are also softer, making them easier to prepare and incorporate into baking recipes.
Unripe mangos are noticeably more bitter as they have not had as long to develop their sweetness. There is still a hint of sweetness, but it is not the dominant flavour. Unripe mangos are harder than their ripe counterpart and are slightly crunchy.
Here are our top 3 substitutes for mango:
1) Peach
Not many fruits taste almost identical to mangos, but peach comes the closest.
Peaches do not come from India, but rather China. Their growing conditions are very similar in terms of atmosphere and environment, giving them comparable flavours.
The main flavour of a peach is its rich sweetness, so it is better to replace ripe mango with peach.
Though peaches are slightly chewier than ripe mangos when young, they become more tender as they mature.
Keep in mind that peaches do harden when cooked. If you are trying to achieve a tender or softer dish, use peaches that are in their most tender stage to prevent them from ruining the texture of your dish.
Use Peaches ASAP
Peaches do not have the longest shelf life and will quickly go rotten if not used quickly. Luckily, they can be used in many baking recipes and preserves, so you can make the most of your money.
2) Papaya
Compared to mango, papayas are a little trickier to find in UK supermarkets as they are not as popular. Though they are in season from early summer to autumn so are easier to find in stores then.
Papayas are full of black seeds, unlike mangos. These seeds can be eaten, but when replacing mango in a recipe, you will want to discard these seeds and only use the tender orange flesh of the papaya fruit.
The natural sweetness of papaya is not as intense as that of mango, so it is the healthier option. However, the fruit is still sweet and juicy enough to be the perfect snack on a hot day.
Papayas do not do as well when cooked as mangos, losing their flavour and developing an unpleasant texture.
Can You Eat Papaya Seeds?
Papaya seeds taste very different from the rest of the fruit. They are spicy and warm like peppercorns but can be eaten and used in dishes without issues.
3) Kiwi
Due to how visually different kiwis are, most would not think it is a fruit worthy of replacing the vibrant mango. But once you have removed the fuzzy exterior of a kiwi, its bright green flesh can make a great mango substitute.
Kiwi can be cooked or eaten raw, remaining sweet no matter how you eat them.
There is also a slight tartness that is not completely obscured by the sweetness of the kiwi but is not an overwhelming flavour.
What to do with Kiwi Skin?
Though you will need to remove kiwi spin when replacing mango in a recipe, the fuzzy skin is edible. You can use it as a garnish for a cocktail or add it to a smoothie.
Other Substitutes for Mango
Though there are not many direct substitutes for mango, a few fruits closely resemble peaches that can also work in place of mango in most cases. For example:
- Nectarine – Essentially just a different kind of peach, nectarines have more nutrients than regular peaches. They remain tender when cooked, unlike peaches.
- Apricot – Some call apricots a healthier peach as they are a similar texture but contain significantly less sugar. This makes them a tarter fruit but can be used in place of mango if you add a little bit of honey for extra sweetness.
Summary
Mango is a sweet, sticky and simply delicious tropical fruit that can be enjoyed all year round in the UK. But when the mango selection in your local supermarket is disappointing, there are a variety of other sweet fruits, such as peaches, that can be used instead of mango in sweet treats and fruit salads.