Picking the “perfect” Avocado

Are avocados on your weekly meal plan? Do you know how to pick a "good" one or do you just "buy extra" just in case?

Here are some tips to help! I have found #1 to be the KEY! Before I was hesitant to buy avocados because I wasted SO MANY, but not anymore! Do you have any tips to add?

Tips for picking a good avocado

1. Choose one with the stem intact. This is essential for slow, steady ripening. The stem or “little hat” acts as a physical barrier to keep the interior of the fruit moist and prevent oxidation or drying from excessive air. Though it's tempting to pop the stem end off, keep it intact for as long as possible to maintain the quality of your avocado.

2. Look at the color. Avocados start out bright green and light in color. As they ripen and soften, their skin darkens until they are past their prime and nearly black. If you are planning to use the fruit within the next day or two, look for one that is somewhere in the middle, a dark forest green. Or, if you are buying to keep for later, choose one that is brighter green.

3. Give it a squeeze. Riper fruits will have some give to them but should reshape quickly after a squeeze. Unripe fruit will be quite hard, and overripe fruit will become indented or bruised when you squeeze. If you feel that the flesh is mushy or moving separately from the skin, that could indicate rot on the inside.

4. Weigh your options. With produce, weight is a good indicator of quality. With most produce heavier is a good sign of the quality of the flesh. An avocado that feels lighter than you expect may be dried out and rotten inside. A firm, heavier fruit is likely fresher and in better shape.

5. Check for blemishes. Inspect the skin for obvious signs of damage. Often, a dry spot or bruise on the outside of an avocado can be an indication of mealy, brown flesh underneath.

TIP: Store unripe avocados at room temperature, not in the fridge. Once they are ripe, you can move them to the fridge to slow down the ripening process and prevent rot. However, be mindful of your refrigerator temperature, if it is too cold it will degrade the texture and flavor. You can “buffer” by storing it in a paper bag and/or wrapped in a towel.

Do you have any additional avocado tips?  Please share below!