Introduction
Have you ever been excited to enjoy a creamy and perfect avocado only to find it turns brown and mushy before you could? Spoiled avocados can be frustrating and a waste of money. But don’t worry- there are several methods to keep your avocado fresh for days. In this article, we’ll share our top tips with you which are guaranteed to keep your avocado fresh and delicious, so you never have to waste a single one.
5 Foolproof Tips to Keep Avocados Fresh for Days
Tip 1: Keep avocados in the refrigerator
Storing your avocado in the refrigerator is one of the best ways to extend its shelf life. This method works great for storing whole unripe avocados or ripe avocados that need a little more time before being consumed. However, once you cut the avocado, and it is ripe, place it in an airtight container or cover it with plastic wrap.
Tip 2: Cover the cut side of the avocado with a damp paper towel
After slicing an avocado, be sure to cover the exposed flesh with a damp paper towel. This helps to maintain the moisture and prevent the avocado from turning brown too quickly. You can also use a brush or your finger to add some lemon juice or olive oil to coat the flesh before wrapping with a paper towel.
Tip 3: Use fresh lemon juice to prevent browning
The enzyme in avocados that causes browning is polyphenol oxidase. But this can be prevented by applying citric acid. Squeezing fresh lemon juice on the exposed flesh of the avocado can slow down the oxidation process, and it can prevent browning for up to 48 hours. Alternatively, you can also use lime juice or vinegar instead of lemon juice.
Tip 4: Store the avocado in an airtight container
After slicing an avocado, it’s essential to store it in an airtight container. This can help maintain the moisture levels and prevent the avocado from getting dry. You can use plastic or glass containers with an air-tight seal. Make sure to press the plastic wrap tightly against the surface of the avocado or guacamole, making direct contact covering the air from coming into the contact to preserve the color and flavor.
Tip 5: Choose the right stage of ripeness to store the avocado
Choosing the right stage of ripeness is crucial when it comes to making sure your avocado stays fresh. If you buy unripe avocados, store them at room temperature. Once they ripen, move them to the fridge but use them within four to five days.
The Ultimate Guide to Storing Avocados the Right Way
How to select the right avocado
You can choose the perfect avocado by gently squeezing it. The fruit should be slightly firm to the touch but not feel rock-hard. If it feels soft and mushy, it is overripe, and if it’s hard, it’s not yet ripe. Also, check the skin color, darker color indicates it’s almost ripe, while lighter color suggests it needs some time to ripen.
Benefits of freezing avocados
If you have extra avocados that are getting too ripe, consider freezing them. Frozen avocados can be used in smoothies, dips, or guacamole- it can be convenient for those on a busy schedule and cannot go to the grocery store. First, remove the skin and pit and then slice the avocado. Sprinkle some lemon juice or lime juice on the slices. Place the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, and then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag.
Using avocado savers
An avocado saver is a helpful tool to keep the avocado halves from getting spoiled quickly. These keepers seal the flesh from the air, allowing the remaining half to stay fresh for an extended period. You can find avocado savers that come in the shape of a half avocado, or a flexible silicone cover that fits over the exposed half of the avocado.
Other ways to store avocados
You can also store avocados by wrapping it in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. The same procedures can be followed while storing the sliced avocado. Another way could be placing the avocado in a sealed plastic bag with a slightly damp paper towel to help it retain moisture.
Stop Wasting Your Avocados: Simple Tricks to Keep Them Fresh
Understanding why avocados spoil quickly
Avocados are a highly perishable fruit as they are rich in oil. Oxygen from the air quickly react with the natural oil present in the fruit, resulting in quick spoilage. Other factors that contribute to spoilage include exposure to sunlight, improper storage temperature, and damage to the skin of the fruit.
Importance of choosing the right ripeness
The key to keeping avocados fresh is only using them when they’re at their optimum ripeness. If you’re buying a bunch of avocados, aim for them to be at different ripeness stages to ensure you have a supply of them ready to use. You can then use them as needed and avoid spoilage.
Storing avocados in an airtight container
Storing avocados in airtight containers is one of the best ways to ensure they remain fresh. It’s important to remove the air from the container or the bag as much as possible to reduce the amount of oxygen that comes in contact with the fruit. A vacuum sealing machine can be handy in eliminating the air from the package.
Using plastic wrap to store avocados
If you don’t have any fancy gadgets or containers, plastic wrap can be a lifesaver in preventing air from getting to the fruit. After wrapping the avocado, be sure to secure it tightly, so the air doesn’t get through. This simple hack can add a few days to the avocado’s shelf-life.
Revolutionary Hacks to Keep Your Avocado from Browning
Placing the pit inside the guac
Leaving the pit inside the guacamole can help it stay fresh for a longer period. You can also place the pit inside the half avocado or cover the exposed area with the pit to slow down the oxidation process. This method doesn’t need any additional tools, and it’s a natural way of preserving the freshness of the avocado.
Using olive oil instead of lemon juice
Another way to keep your avocado from browning is by using olive oil. A thin layer of high-quality olive oil over the exposed flesh of the avocado slows down the oxidation process, just like lemon juice. However, olive oil adds a rich flavor to the avocado.
Adding salt before mashing the avocado
Adding a pinch of salt along with other ingredients before mashing the avocado can also prevent browning. The salt has the same effect as lemon juice; it reduces the oxidation and slows down browning.
From Farm to Table: How to Store Your Avocados All Year Round
Understanding the journey of avocados from farms to supermarkets
Avocados are grown in tropical climates and are transported to different parts of the world while being unripe to ensure they don’t spoil during transportation. Once they reach the supermarkets, they’re stored in-room temperature, which helps ripen them faster. Once the avocados are ripe, they should be moved to the fridge to extend their life.
Benefits of storing avocados in different stages of ripeness
Storing avocados at different ripeness stages can extend the shelf life of the fruit, allowing you to use them at the right time. Unripe avocados can take up to five days to ripen, so if you plan on using them in a few days, store them at room temperature. Semi-ripe avocado should be used within two days, while the ripe fruit should be consumed within one day. Overripe avocados can be used in baking or smoothies, and they can be frozen.
Using vacuum sealers to store avocados
Vacuum sealers were designed to keep food fresh for a long time. An avocado vacuum sealer removes the air from the container or bag, greatly extending the shelf life of the fruit. If you’re buying avocados in bulk or want to store them for a longer time, vacuum sealing is a great option that ensures freshness.
Conclusion
Wasting avocados is a common problem many people face, but with these tips, you’ll never have to throw out a spoiled avocado again. By following our foolproof tips, your avocados will stay fresh and tasty for days. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try out different ways of storing avocados to find what works best for you. By being conscious of how you store your avocados, you will get the most out of your purchase.