Avocados are a delicious, nutritious fruit that can be added to all sorts of dishes. However, it can be a bit tricky to find the right one. Sometimes when you think you've chosen a nice, ripe avocado, it turns out to be completely unripe even brown inside! So, how do you pick the perfect avocado? In this blog post, we will share some tips on how to select a ripe, ready-to-eat avocado the first time. Let's get started!
Step 1: Examine the Skin
The first thing you want to do is take a look at the colour of the skin. If it's green, then it's probably not ripe yet. You want to look for an avocado that has dark, almost black skin. This is a good indication that it's ripe and ready to eat.
Step 2: Flick the Stem
Once you've found an avocado with dark skin, it's time to check if it's ripe by flicking the stem. If the stem comes off easily and you see green underneath, then the avocado is probably ripe. On the other hand, if the stem doesn't come off, it's probably unripe. Or if it comes off and you see brown underneath, then the avocado is past its prime and you should put it back.
Step 3: Look For Bruising
Another thing to check an avocado for is bruising. If you see any brown or black spots, breaks in the skin or especially soft areas, then it's probably overripe. You'll likely be tossing it the second you cut into it at home!
Step 4: Feel the Avocado
Now that you've found an avocado with dark skin, a green stem, and little-to-no bruising, it's time to give it a little squeeze. You want it to be firm, but not too hard, as this would indicate that it's unripe. However, you don't want it to be too soft either. If it's too soft then it's overripe. The perfect avocado will have a little give to it, but will still hold its shape.
Step 5: Smell the Avocado
The last step is to give the avocado a little sniff. If it doesn't have much of a scent, then it's probably just right. If it smells too strong, then it's overripe.
Bonus Tip: Consider Your Timing
If you're not planning on eating the avocado right away, then you may actually want one that's not quite ripe yet. So, if you want it to last for at least a few days, then look for an avocado with green skin. It will ripen over time, but it will stay fresher for longer.
Still Unripe?
If your avocado is still unripe after a few days, then you can place it in a paper bag with a banana or apple. The ethylene gas that these fruits give off will help speed up the ripening process. Just be sure to keep your eye on it - you don't want to miss that perfectly ripe avocado!
Avocado Time!
Now you know how to pick the perfect avocado every time! Just remember to examine the skin, flick the stem, look for bruising, feel the avocado, and give it a sniff. And if you're not planning on eating it right away, then consider getting one that's still unripe. With these tips, you'll be a pro at picking avocados in no time!
Love avocado? It’s in a few of our items here at Press Market! Check out our menu here.