Avocado ripening tricks: From paper bags to microwaves
Avocado is a fruit full of nutrients, but sometimes it's too hard to eat right away. Learn proven methods to help soften avocados at home.
Often, when you buy an avocado, it turns out to be too hard to consume immediately. Why does this happen? The reason is simple: avocados reach stores before fully ripening due to the lengthy transportation process. What can you do to speed up the ripening of an avocado? Use this simple trick.
How does an avocado ripen?
Fortunately, there are simple and natural ways to accelerate the ripening of avocados. One of the simplest tricks is to place the fruit in a paper bag. Avocados release ethylene, a gas responsible for ripening, which speeds up the entire process when enclosed in a bag.
To speed up the ripening even more, you can add a few fruits, like apples or bananas, to the bag. These fruits also emit ethylene, which significantly accelerates the ripening when combined with avocados. This is a natural, uncomplicated method that doesn't require much effort and produces satisfactory results in a short time.
How to soften an avocado quickly?
Sometimes, however, we need a soft avocado "right now" and can't wait a few days. In such cases, there are proven quick methods. One of the most popular methods is using the oven. This process involves wrapping the fruit in aluminum foil and placing it in an oven preheated to 90°C for a few minutes. This makes the avocado softer and ready to eat immediately.
Another trick is a method using a microwave. Cut the avocado in half, remove the pit, and then place it in the microwave on low power for about 30 seconds. In this case, do not wrap the avocado in aluminum foil. It's also good to poke it with a fork before putting it in the microwave.
How to store avocados?
Soft avocados are best wrapped in plastic wrap and stored in the refrigerator to keep them fresh. A good way to preserve a cut avocado is to sprinkle it with lemon juice, which helps maintain its nice colour.
There are many culinary uses for soft avocados. It can be used as a base for guacamole, enhancing flavour and texture. It's also great as an addition to salads or sandwiches or even as an ingredient in healthy smoothies. Its soft texture is ideal for spreading, and its rich taste enhances any dish.
