Lifestyle Desk – As soon as the summer season arrives, the aroma of mango pickle starts spreading in the houses and right now raw mangoes are coming in the market for very good pickle. Mango pickle is not only a taste enhancing dish in Indian kitchen but is also a part of tradition and health. By having pickles, the taste of even simple food increases manifold. But it is often seen that due to a little carelessness the pickle gets spoiled quickly and all our hard work goes waste. In such a situation, it is important to keep certain things in mind while making pickles, so that it remains safe and tasty throughout the year. Let us know what important things need to be kept in mind while making pickles.
The first and most important thing is to choose the right mango. For pickle, one should always choose raw, hard and blemish-free mangoes. Soft or ripe mangoes can spoil the pickle quickly. Before cutting mangoes, it is important to wash them thoroughly and dry them completely, because moisture is the biggest reason for spoilage of pickles.
It is very important to take special care of cleanliness while making pickles. Whatever vessel you are preparing pickles in, it should be completely dry and clean. Steel or glass utensils are considered the best. Plastic utensils should be avoided, as they can affect the quality of the pickle in the long run.
It is very important that the quality of the spices used for making pickles is good, because this also decides the age of the pickle. Always use fresh and good spices only.
It is very important to have the right amount of salt and oil in the pickle, because both of them work as natural preservatives. If there is less salt, fungus may develop in the pickle, whereas sufficient oil protects the pickle from air and moisture. Exposure to sunlight is also an important process.
It is also very important to expose the pickle to sunlight daily for a few days, so that the moisture present in it gets completely evaporated and the spices get mixed properly with the mango. However, keep in mind that keep the pickle covered in sunlight so that dust or dirt does not enter it.
Glass bottle or jar is best to store pickle. Wash the jar and dry it completely before using. While taking out pickle, always use a dry and clean spoon. Adding a wet spoon adds moisture to the pickle and it can spoil quickly.
Keep the pickle in a cool and dry place only. Avoid putting hands again and again and take out pickles only as per need. If the layer of oil on the pickle is less, then you can heat it a little and pour the cooled oil on top.
