Adding avocado to your salad, sandwich, or dip is a health trend that’s only becoming more and more popular.
It is an incredibly nutritious addition, too, so it comes as no surprise that it will continue to be a welcome ingredient to many recipes.
Then again, this also means you’d have to learn how to store avocados and make them last longer.
How to store avocados? If you want the gist, simply let freshly harvested avocados ripen naturally at room temperature for about five days. Put ripe avocados whole and unopened in the fridge to extend freshness for about 10 more days. When you have cut avocados, you can put the extra half in the fridge, but remember to consume them immediately. Finally, mash or puree the fruit with some lemon or lime juice before sealing in a bag and freezing.
How do you keep avocados from ripening too fast?
To keep avocados from ripening too quickly, sort the ripe ones away from the bunch.
Also, you can keep avocados along the normal ripening process by separating them from other fruits, especially bananas and apples.
These fruits produce ethylene, a natural plant hormone that regulates the chemical processes for ripening.
Some may suggest putting unripe avocados in the fridge, but we recommend you do this only for ripe avocados.
Putting unripe avocados in the fridge may cause it not to ripen correctly or even not ripen at all.
How do you keep avocados from rotting?
If you want to keep your avocados from turning bad, you need to store them properly. For this, you have to know how far along it is from ripening.
To make things easier, do your shopping ahead of time and pick out the green, firm avocados from the grocery store.
You will have more extended storage options if you purchase the unripe fruit, and you will have more time before the fruit rots.
Several Ways on How to Store Avocados
Avocado storage will depend on its ripeness level. Before storing, you would want to determine if you have ripe or unripe avocados.
Usually, avocados won’t start to ripen before getting picked from the tree, and they stay green and firm for about two days.
On the fourth and fifth days after harvesting, notice how an avocado feels soft and starts to change color. This means the fruit is already ripe.
Unripe
The correct way to store unripe avocados is by keeping them in a cool, dark place.
If your pantry retains a cool temperature, you can keep avocados there until they ripen.
However, if you want to consume them soon, you’ll want to speed up the ripening process with more ethylene gas.
Putting some avocados in a paper bag traps the ethylene and causes it to ripen faster.
Alternatively, you can choose to add an overripe apple or banana with the avocados in a paper bag. You’ll notice how faster they turn brown or dark purple.
Ripe
Ripe avocados are soft to the touch and have dark-colored skin.
To keep ripe avocados fresh longer, put them in the fridge for about one to two more weeks.
Check them daily, though, so they don’t go overripe and start spoiling.
Sliced or Cut
Sometimes, you’ll only be needing half an avocado for the recipe you’re preparing.
Just brush some lemon or lime juice over the exposed flesh of the unused half, and put some plastic wrap over it before keeping in the fridge.
The exposed flesh of the avocado is prone to oxidation, and the citrus juice keeps it from turning black.
Where to store avocado?
To determine where to store avocados correctly, always check for the level of ripeness first.
Room Temperature
Keep firm, unripe avocados at room temperature, preferably in a cool, dark place until they turn ripe.
Always check for some avocados ripening faster than others, as you may have to transfer them to the fridge.
Then, keep the greener ones on the counter for around one more day.
Fridge
Only put whole avocados in the fridge when they get ripe. They keep well in the vegetable drawer without other produce.
You can store cut or sliced avocado in the fridge if you have some leftover, but remind yourself to consume them immediately.
Freezer
Whole or sliced avocados do not store well in a freezer. They tend to develop an inconsistent flavor and usually turn to food waste.
It is always best to freeze avocados in mashed or pureed form.
You may get lucky if you stored a whole, unpeeled avocado and still have the flavors you are looking for, but to be sure, prepare and store the fruit using tried and tested practices.
When to freeze avocado?
Again, for the best results, only prepare avocados for freezing when they are already ripe.
Sliced or cut
In any form—mashed, sliced or cut—only ripe avocados do well with giving the right flavors when thawed after freezing.
Before doing so, line sliced or cut avocados in a baking sheet and brush them lightly with some lime or lemon juice.
Put them in the freezer to harden and then transfer to a zip-top freezer bag.
Mashed avocado
Crushed or mashed avocado can be stored for longer periods and can be thawed anytime for smoothies, guacamole, avocado toast, salads, and tacos.
To prepare for freezing, add a tablespoon of lemon or lime juice to the mashed fruit and keep in an airtight container or a sealable bag.
If you’re using sealable bags, make sure to remove all air from the bag. You can use a straw to suck the air out.
If you’re using an airtight container, be sure to leave at least half an inch of space before the lid as the mashed fruit will expand when frozen.
Why avoid freezing unripe avocado?
Avoid freezing unripe avocados because you will have very little chance of enjoying them.
They may not ripen at all, or worse, turn into an inedible, mushy goop once thawed.
Conclusion
To make sure you don’t end up with rotten avocados, remember to check them every day.
Keep unripe ones at room temperature and transfer ripe avocados to the fridge.
Also, you’d want to use the ripe ones first and consume them immediately after cutting or opening.
The best way to store avocados for extended periods is by mashing them when they are already ripe.
Using this method, you can keep avocados in the freezer for months and enjoy them anytime for whatever dish you choose to whip up.
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