Avocados Are A Superfood—But Do You Know How to Store Them Properly?

Knowing how to store avocados can make all the difference in whether or not you can enjoy them. They are a notoriously fickle fruit—one second, they seem like they're days away from being ripe enough to enjoy, and the next second you're left with an overripe mess. While ultra-nutritious, the unpredictability of this fruit can result in food waste.

Why Do Avocados Turn Brown?

Avocado browning occurs when the fruit's natural enzymes are exposed to oxygen in the air, triggering a chemical reaction called enzyme polyphenol oxidase. Although the discolouration might look unappetizing, it doesn't make the avocado unsafe to eat. Contrary to popular belief, leaving the pit in an avocado won’t prevent browning. The flesh directly under the pit remains green simply because it isn’t exposed to air, not because the pit has any anti-oxidizing properties.

Storing Whole Avocados

Unripe Avocados

For unripe avocados, store them on your countertop away from other fruits and vegetables. This helps avoid exposure to ethylene gas from produce like bananas, which speeds up ripening. Check daily, as unripe avocados generally take four to five days to mature. An avocado is ripe when it yields slightly to light pressure and has dark green to black, bumpy skin.

Ripe Avocados

To prolong the life of ripe avocados, place them in the refrigerator. Store them in an airtight container or in the crisper drawer, but be cautious if they’re near ethylene-producing fruits like apples. Depending on ripeness, they can stay fresh for several days.

Storing Cut Avocados

Halved Avocados

To store a halved avocado, leave the pit and skin intact. Rub olive oil or lime juice on the exposed flesh, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate. This method slows oxidation, keeping the fruit fresh for about two days.

Sliced Avocados

For sliced avocado, use a food storage container covered with plastic wrap pressed directly against the flesh to prevent air pockets. Lime or lemon juice can add a layer of protection but may alter the flavour. Due to the exposed surface area, sliced avocado is more prone to browning, making it harder to store for extended periods.

Storing Guacamole (mashed avocadoes)

To store guacamole, place it in a bowl, cover it tightly with plastic wrap so that it touches the surface of the guacamole, and refrigerate. Adding lime juice is optional but may help slow oxidation. Although the top layer may be brown, it can easily be scraped off before serving.

Why Should You Eat Avocadoes?

Avocadoes are a known superfood packed with antioxidants and nutrients that improve blood pressure management, eye health and energy production. While their creamy texture and nutty flavour make them a world favourite, they are packed with folate, magnesium, Vitamin B, Potassium and Copper. This makes them a perfect fruit for digestion and metabolism boost. Incorporating avocado into your morning meal can give you a sustained energy boost. Adding avocados to your diet can improve heart health.

Avocadoes are a great source of lutein and zeaxanthin, two carotenoids that protect against oxidative damage to eye cells. Avocados may improve mental well-being by combating depression. If you're pregnant, avocado could help protect your baby's health too.