Avocados have become a staple in Australian kitchens, gracing breakfast plates with their creamy goodness and adding a nutritious boost to salads and smoothies. But as any avocado aficionado knows, the window between unripe and overripe for this fruit can be frustratingly short.
We’ve all been there—you buy the perfect avocado, only to have it go from rock-hard to an overripe mush in the blink of an eye.
Fortunately, storing avocados the right way can make all the difference between a creamy, delicious fruit and an unappetising mess. Whether you need to speed up ripening or keep them fresh for longer, here’s everything you need to know.
Storing unripe avocados
The journey to avocado longevity begins with understanding how to store them once they’ve reached peak ripeness. According to the Purdue Extension, unripe avocados are best left at room temperature until they’re ready to eat.
But once they hit that perfect level of ripeness, it’s time to slow down the process. The refrigerator is your best friend here, specifically the crisper drawer, which maintains a consistent temperature and humidity level.
Storing whole, ripe avocados
According to tests, a surprising ally in the quest for avocado preservation comes in the form of citrus fruits. By placing whole, ripe avocados in the crisper drawer alongside lemons or limes, it was revealed that the ethylene gas naturally emitted by the citrus helped delay the avocados’ spoilage.
This simple trick could give you several extra days of fresh, green avocados. Here’s how to do it:
1. Put your ripe avocados in your refrigerator’s crisper drawer.
2. Add a few citrus fruits to the mix for their ethylene magic.
3. Maintain the temperature at around 4°C.
4. Check on your avocados daily to catch any that might be crossing into overripe territory.
Storing sliced avocados
Cut avocados are a different beast altogether. Once the flesh is exposed to air, oxidation kicks in, and browning begins. But don’t despair; there is a method that significantly slows down this process.
The secret lies in lemon or lime juice, which inhibits the enzyme responsible for browning. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Brush the exposed flesh of the cut avocado with fresh lemon or lime juice. If you’re out of citrus, a thin layer of olive oil can also act as a barrier.
2. Wrap the avocado half snugly in plastic wrap, pressing out any air as you go.
3. Store it in the crisper drawer and use it within the next day or two for the best quality.
Accelerating ripeness for unripe avocados
If you’ve brought home a batch of rock-hard avocados, don’t lose hope. You can encourage them to ripen faster by placing them in a paper bag alongside an apple or banana. The ethylene gas released by these fruits acts as a ripening agent.
Once your avocados have softened to your liking, move them to the fridge to halt the ripening process.
Checking the ripeness stage of avocados
Remember, the key to avocado storage is understanding the ripeness stage and creating the right environment to extend its shelf life.
To check for ripeness, here are things to take note of:
1. A skin colour change from bright green to a darker, purplish hue signals ripeness.
2. When you apply gentle pressure, a ripe avocado has a slight softness without being squishy.
3. The stem cap will come off easily and reveal a green colour underneath if it’s ripe.
By following these tips, you can say goodbye to the disappointment of brown, overripe avocados. Whether you’re preparing a batch of guacamole for a family gathering or simply enjoying a slice on toast, these methods will ensure that you have fresh avocados at the ready when you need them.
We’d love to hear from you, our YourLifeChoices readers! Have you tried any of these methods, or do you have your own tricks for keeping avocados fresh? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below.
Also read: Keep your apples crisp for longer with these tips!
