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Should I pick this avocado or that? Which one is the right one? Well, it is time for some easy tips on How to Pick, Store, and Ripen Avocados like a pro.
No matter how skillful you are in cooking, it also depends on the avocados you choose. Even if you choose the right one, you might spoil it by not storing it well. So, next time you shop for avocados, look closely at which one you pick, learn how to store it, and how to ripen it.
Green Smooth Avocado Flesh Is a Bliss!
So, What Is an Avocado?
Avocados are bright, green, and shining fruit that ripen off the avocado tree. There are various avocados, but one of the most popular ones is the Hass avocado.
Hass variety of avocados is durable with a long shelf life. What makes it even better is that it becomes darker as it ripens. There are different avocado types; each one having a specific shape and size like lamb Hass, fuerte, zutano, and others.
How to Pick, Store, and Ripen Avocados
Though an underripe avocado is safe to consume, it does not have the needed creamy texture, nor the perfect taste. It may add an unpleasant bitter taste to your meal or drink.
But if you found no other option in the near grocery store, we got you covered. So, check the following tips to know how to pick, store, and ripen avocados.
How to Pick Avocados
Picking the perfect avocado from the grocery store depends on when you will use it. So, to get the right avocado, you have to check its skin color, texture, skin, and stem.
Color
Bright green avocados are unripe. They are perfect if you are using them in the following 3-5 days. You can let them ripe at home.
As the avocados’ skin color turns dark green and gets some dark speckles, they become ripe. You can use them in the next few days.
Avoid choosing black avocados. These are overripe. A dark avocado looks unappetizing with brown spots or black spots.
Skin
The easiest way to get the right avocado is to feel the skin of each one you choose. Hold the avocado. The smooth texture of the skin tells that it is an unripe avocado.
An avocado with bumpy skin is ready to use. Do not choose avocados that have mushy skin with dents or sunken areas. It might be rotten.
Firmness
Let’s check the firmness of the avocado! So, what is the best way to know that an avocado is ready to use? Well, it is easy.
Extra firm avocados are unripe. An avocado that slightly presses when you gently squeeze it in the palm of your hand has the perfect ripeness. An extra-soft avocado is overripe with a mushy texture similar to a very ripe tomato.
Stem
If you hold an avocado with a stem, check it. If it does not fall easily, then don’t buy it unless you will use it a few days later.
When it easily falls when pushed, then it is the perfect time to buy and use. Now, if the stem falls right away and it looks too old, then this avocado is not an option.
Keep Some Avocados in Your Fridge!
How to Ripen Avocados
When you get some unripe avocados and you need them in the next couple of days, here’s what you can do to get perfectly ripe avocados. If you are not in a hurry, leave them in a bowl on the kitchen counter for a few days at room temperature, and they will ripe.
If you want the softening process to be faster, here’s the paper bag trick. Place the avocados in a brown paper bag and put a ripe banana or apple with them. This will increase the level of natural ethylene gas that speeds up the ripening process.
Attention! You must take a look each day so you can check the ripening process. You don’t want them to pass their prime time and become overripe. Leave them for longer, and they would become black and mushy.
How to Store Avocados
It is easy to store whole avocados. Leave them on the counter away from direct sunlight if unripe. If they are ripe, leave them in the fridge’s crisper drawer to make them live longer.
However, sometimes you may peel or slice avocados and you don’t use them on the spot. Other times, you might be left with an avocado half. Then, they would oxidize, so the green avocado flesh turns brown.
Well, you can store them perfectly. Squeeze lemon or lime juice over the avocado leftover and put it in an airtight container or a resealable bag. You can cover the unpeeled half with cling paper or plastic wrap. Keep them in the fridge for up to 2 days or freeze them for up to 3 months.
Recipes with Avocados
Choose some firm-ripe avocados with slightly brown skin and get ready for some deliciousness. They are perfect for sweet or savory recipes. Here are different ways to enjoy the smooth and creamy texture of avocado perfection.
Why don’t you try an Open Faced Avocado Toast with Boiled Eggs for this Sunday breakfast? It will blow your mind away. Are you in for a plant-based meal? Here’s is the best Roasted Chickpea Avocado Salad.
How about some Easy Fresh Guacamole? Prepare some fresh avocados, tomatoes, and olive oil, and get ready to make the perfect dip. Check out the recipe for more details.
Avocado Smoothie with Whipped Ricotta Cheese calls for the best avocado you have to make a delicious smoothie that will indulge your sweet buds. Now, for a late afternoon dessert, two perfectly ripe avocados will satisfy your craving with some Chocolate Coffee Avocado Pudding.
Don’t mess up our meal with a bad avocado choice!
Frequently Asked Questions
Nothing serious! It is called vascular browning or streaking which might occur due to long-term storage. Just cut it out and use the rest.
Don’t worry! You can put them in the refrigerator to slow the ripening process. This will give you an extra day or two to use the avocados at their prime time.
Once the flesh of avocado oxidizes with the air, it turns brown. Though it doesn’t look good or appetizing, it is still safe to eat.
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How to Pick, Store, and Ripen Avocados
Ingredients
- Avocados
Instructions
How to pick avocados
- Check their color. Bright green avocados are unripe, and dark green with some dark speckles are ripe.
- Avoid buying dark or black avocados because they are overripe.
- Check their skin. Choose ones with smooth skin and let them ripe or bumpy skin that you can use directly.
- Avoid buying avocados having mushy skin with dents or sunken areas.
- Check their firmness. Unripe avocados have an extra firm skin and ripe ones slightly presses in the palm of your hand.
- Avoid buying avocados that feel like an overripe tomato.
- Check their stem. If it does not fall, then avocados are not ripe. If it falls when pushed, they are ripe.
- Avoid buying avocados with a stem that falls down upon touching. These are overripe.
How to ripen avocados
- If you do not want them any time soon, leave them on the counter to ripe slowly.
- If you want them to ripe faster, follow the brown paper bag. Place them inside the bag with a ripe apple or ripe banana. This will increase the natural ethylene gas that speed up the ripening process.
How to store avocados
- Leave whole avocados on the counter away from sunlight if they are not ripe.
- Store them in the fridge if they are ripe and you want them to live longer.
- Store the unpeeled avocados in water and place in the refrigerator. They will last for atleast 1 week.
- Store cut avocados or avocado halves in an airtight container after you squeeze lemon or lime on top. Place them in the fridge up to 2-3 days.
