A ripe avocado usually has dark green to black skin. If it’s too bright green, it may need more time to ripen. Avoid ones with very dark spots, as they may be overripe.
A good avocado should feel slightly soft but not mushy. If it's too hard, it needs more time to ripen. If it feels too soft, it may be overripe and have brown spots inside.
If you need your avocado to ripen quickly, place it in a paper bag with an apple or banana. The ethylene gas released will speed up the ripening process, getting your avocado ready faster.
To prevent avocado flesh from browning, squeeze a little lemon or lime juice on it. The acid helps slow down oxidation, keeping your avocado looking fresh and appetizing longer.
If you've used half an avocado, leave the pit in the unused portion. The pit helps reduce browning. Wrap it in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container for better preservation.
Unripe avocados should never be refrigerated. Refrigeration can halt the ripening process, causing them to stay hard longer. Store them at room temperature until they're soft.
Keeping avocados in too warm or too humid conditions speeds up spoilage. Balanced storage at room temperature helps prevent brown spots and early decay.