Why Mangoes Can Smell Sweet Before They Are Actually Ripe

There is a familiar moment every summer when you pick up a mango, bring it close and immediately notice that unmistakable sweet, fruity aroma. You might assume it is ready to eat. Then you cut it open and discover firm, pale flesh that tastes surprisingly sour or bland. So why can a mango smell ripe before it is actually ripe? The answer lies in the complicated chemistry of fruit ripening. A mango does not develop its aroma, sweetness, colour and softness at exactly the same time. In fact, your nose can sometimes detect the early stages of ripening long before your hands can.