HOW TO STORE AVOCADOS – WHOLE AND PEELED

 How to store avocados – whole and peeled

Cutting open a fresh, ripe avocado to reveal the green, shiny flesh is pure joy. But avocado are not without their faults. Not only do they offer a small ripening window, but they quickly oxidize (turn brown) when the flesh is exposed to air.
 
Learn how to properly store your avocados, whether whole or cut, ripe or unripe. With a little care, you can keep your avocados ripe for a sweet and savory snack.

Read also:Can you freeze chicken salad?

 How to tell if an avocado is ripe
 
A ripe avocado will shrink under pressure and have a darker skin than an unripe avocado. But they should not be mushy or have deep indentations, as this indicate they are past ripe.

 An unripe avocado will have a bright green skin, and it will not tolerate strong pressure at all.
 
To choose the right avocado for your needs, you need to think carefully when planning to use them. Ripe avocados should be used within two to three days of purchase or they will spoil. If you don’t plan to use your avocado for several days after you buy it, consider choosing a fruit that is young so it has time to ripen.

 How to store a whole avocado
 
Whole avocados are easier to store than avocado halves because the skin protects the flesh from oxidation. But you can still do things to extend the life of your avocado (or speed it up). 

Storing whole ripe avocado
 
It is best to store ripe, ready-to-eat avocados in the refrigerator to slow down the ripening process. Store them in the bottom crisper drawer of your refrigerator (most crisper drawers will have vents that allow you to adjust the humidity level). They will last between two and three days when stored this way.

Store unripe avocados
 
Unripe and not yet ready-to-eat avocados should be stored at room temperature to speed up the ripening process. Leave them on the counter, without direct sunlight. It may take up to five days to ripen, but make sure you check their maturity every day by gently squeezing them to see if they are suitable for pressure.

 How to store sliced ​​avocados

Once you cut open an avocado, you expose it to its worst enemy: oxygen. The flesh of the avocado turns brown and opens to the air due to an enzyme reaction, a process known as oxidation. 

Trying to get half an avocado ripe is an uphill battle. But there are preventative measures you can take to keep the green flesh from turning brown and unappetizing.

Read also:HOW LONG CAN YOU FREEZE CHICKEN?

 Store ripe avocado halves

 Fresh and ready avocado halves are a sight to behold. But they won’t stay that way for long. To keep them from browning, cover the flesh with a little lemon juice, lime juice, or olive oil, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate.

Store unripe avocado halves

 Avocados have hard and inedible flesh. But before you throw it away, try these tips. Sprinkle the flesh with lemon or lime juice, put the halves back together and wrap it in plastic wrap. Put it in the refrigerator and check its maturity every day.

 How to freeze an avocado
 
If you know you won’t be able to get avocados soon, you can freeze them for later use. Freezing the avocado in pure form is the best method because it allows the citrus juices to penetrate throughout the flesh, preventing it from browning. 

This is how:

• Put two peeled and pitted avocados in a blender and add a tablespoon of lemon or lime juice.

•  Blend until smooth. 

• Transfer the pureed avocado to a freezer bag and remove all the air. Cover up to five months. 

Thawing the frozen avocados
 
When you are ready to use your frozen avocado, the best way to thaw it is to leave it in the refrigerator overnight. But if you’re in a hurry, you can also use your microwave’s defrost function. Now you’re ready to throw away together a tangy dip or, of course, some guacamole!

 
How to store guacamole
 
Storing guacamole presents the same problem as storing avocados: you need to protect the layer from browning. The best way to do this is to put your leftover guac in a storage bag and drain it with about half an inch of water. 

Refrigerate for up to four days, pour out the water and stir when ready to use. Read our guide on how to stop guacamole from browning for more details.
Although half a ripe avocado is beautiful, there is nothing worse than cutting it into one

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