Avocado seems like one of those foods that in unripe one minute, and overripe the next!
Check out these tips to learn how to check when your avocado is at peak ripeness and how to best store it so it lasts.
TIP 1. CHECK THE STEM
Did you know that you can pull the stem of an avocado to check for ripeness? If the stem easily wiggles or falls off, it is ripe. If the stem won’t budge or is fussy, give the avocado more time to ripen.
TIP 2: COLOUR
Colour may be an indication of avocado ripeness. Bright or vibrant green avocados typically mean they are underripe and need a few more days to hit peak ripeness. A Dark Green to Purplish / Black colour is a good indicator the avocado is ripe and ready to eat! Black avocados can mean it’s overripe.
TIP 3: TEXTURE
Feel the avocado. Ripe avocados will have skin with a bumpy texture and underripe avocados tend to be smoother.
TIP 4: GENTLE SQUEEZE
Give your avocado a gentle squeeze. Underripe avocados are very firm. Ripe avocados are firm, with a slight give. Overripe avocados feel mushy when squeezed.
TIP 5: STORING & EXTENDING THE LIFE OF AVOCADO
Store ripe avocados in the fridge, and unripe ones on the counter.
To prolong your avocado mash or a sliced avocado, drizzle lemon juice on it. The vitamin C in the acid will help prevent oxidation, which turn the avocados brown.
