How to store avocados

Introduction
Features of fruit selection
Shelf life of avocados of different degrees of maturity
Storing unripe and ripe avocados
How to store avocados in the refrigerator
Freezing is a good way to store food
Conclusion

Features of fruit selection

When a housewife is concerned about the question of where to store avocados, first of all, she needs to figure out which fruits to choose for storage.
You should buy very well-ripened fruits in the store only if they will be eaten in the next 1-2 days. If you need the avocado to be stored a little longer, you should take fruits that are not yet ripe.

Determining that the buyer is looking at a ripe avocado is quite simple: you need to lightly press on the skin of the fruit - a small dent should remain on the surface. You also need to pay attention to the peel of the fruit: if it is dark green and has a uniform color, then the fruit is considered ripe. And if the avocado is not ripe, then its peel will be a little tough, bright green and hard to the touch. This fruit is very difficult to clean. The stone is also taken out with great effort, and the flesh is slightly bitter.

And, on the contrary, the peel of a ripe fruit can be removed even with your hands, without using a knife. Its flesh has a pleasant yellowish-green color, it is soft and oily.

Some buyers choose ripe fruits by ear: if you shake the avocado slightly, you will hear the tapping of the pit.

You should not buy very soft fruits or, conversely, hard fruits with brown spots on the skin, as this indicates that the fruit has begun to deteriorate and rot.

Shelf life of avocados of different degrees of maturity

How long an avocado will be stored and whether it will be tasty depends on how well the fruit is ripe.
In addition, it is important to consider in what form this tropical product will be stored - cut or whole, with the shell intact. Ripe cut fruit can be stored at a temperature of +4+6 degrees. And if the avocado is not yet ripe, then the optimal temperature will be +18+24 degrees. On average, fruits with intact skin are stored for 10-14 days, cut ones - 5-6 days.

Storing unripe and ripe avocados

I am interested in how to properly store an avocado that is not yet ripe; first of all, you need to pay attention to the storage conditions.
The best place for such a fruit is a dark, dry place where the air temperature is +20 degrees or higher. An avocado can last up to full ripeness within a week. But if you need to speed up the ripening process of a tropical product, you can put it in a paper bag. Then after 5 days the avocado will be soft and tasty.

If you put an apple, banana or pear in a bag, the rate of fruit ripening will accelerate twofold, which means that in two or three days you will be able to eat an “alligator pear”.

Ripe fruits best preserve their taste and benefits in paper bags or cling film. Another suitable container option is a sealed bag with a zip fastener. You can put the avocado in a dark, dry place at a temperature of +6+8 degrees. Or put it in a special compartment for fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator.

However, it is still not recommended to store ripe fruit for too long, as it will begin to deteriorate. This can be understood by dark stripes or spots on the skin and pulp.

How to store fruit until fully ripe

Preventing avocados from overripening is the main task when storing ripe fruits. This is due to the fact that the darkened fruit becomes tasteless and is not recommended for use as food.

It is recommended to store ripe fruits at a temperature of 6... 8°C in paper bags in the refrigerator compartments specially designed for fruits. In addition, to prevent avocados from darkening, experts advise wrapping them in cling film and then placing them in a vacuum container.

Another option to help prevent over-ripening and blackening is to store it in a ziplock bag, remove all air from it, and then seal it tightly. This allows you to block access to oxygen, which stimulates ripening processes.

Since the fruit contains iron, its pulp quickly oxidizes in air, begins to darken, and loses its attractive appearance. If a dish only requires a few slices, the rest will quickly spoil. There are several ways to preserve long-term fruit freshness and good taste.

This method is suitable when the cut fruit is going to be stored for a short time (1-2 days). To prevent the flesh from darkening, limit its exposure to air as quickly as possible.

Procedure:

Lubricate the cut surface with lemon juice.
Carefully fold the halves together, trying to align the edges of the cuts as accurately as possible.
Place the fruit in a paper bag or wrap it in paper.
If there is only one half, wrap it with cling film so that the polyethylene fits tightly to the cut surface.

We suggest you read: When to dig potatoes after flowering, timing recommendations

In a refrigerator

How to store an avocado in the refrigerator after cutting? Here the fruit will lie, without losing its appetizing appearance, for up to 5-6 days. Most options are related to the fruit's reaction to interaction with other products.

It is not always clear from external signs how ripe the fruit was chosen. If it turns out to be hard when cut, there is no need to throw it away. There are ways to get the fruit to ripen so you can eat it in a couple of days.

Sprinkle the open sections with lemon juice and fold the halves, pressing them tightly together. By following the recommendations, it is easy to make the pulp soft and tasty.

Another way:

Wrap the halves with cling film.
Place them in a craft paper bag.
Place a ripe apple in there.
Close tightly.
Place in a cool place at 18...24°C (for example, on a windowsill).

The apple will produce ethylene, which has a positive effect on ripening.

An oven and newspaper will also help solve the problem:

The halves are wrapped in newspaper and secured with thread.
Heat the oven slightly on the lowest setting.
The bundle is placed on a baking sheet and left in a warm cabinet, turning off the heat.
Place in a cool place, unwrap and eat after 2 days.

If you don’t have the time or desire to tinker with hard fruit, bake it in the microwave for 30 seconds.

If you bought unripe fruits, take care of the conditions in which the American Perseus should ripen.

At a temperature of 18-24 degrees, the avocado will become ripe within a week. After this time, it can still be stored in the same conditions for about two days.

Further, only in the refrigerator.

Do you want to store unripe avocados for a long time? For this procedure you will need paper bags. The fruit will be ready in 5 days.
For rapid ripening, you need the proximity of an apple or pear. Enough ethylene gas will be released and Perseus will quickly become ready for use.
The average ripening time for avocados is 2 to 3 weeks.
In a cold tropical place, the guest will ripen if it lies in paper.
If the fruit is cut, place it in the refrigerator.

Such tropical fruits will feel great at 6-8 degrees and also in paper bags. And stored in the refrigerator compartments with vegetables and fruits.

You can also save fruits in vacuum containers, but first wrap them in cling film.

Bags with zip fasteners will protect fruits; just remove the air from them before storing. Then the interaction with oxygen will stop. Oxygen is known to be a catalyst for ripening processes.

How to store avocados in the refrigerator

When buying an avocado in a supermarket, many people at home cut the fruit and eat it in half, since it is very high in calories and filling. As a result, the question arises of how to store cut avocados. After all, it turns out that the pulp of the “tropical pear” contains special substances that can oxidize under the influence of oxygen and lead to darkening of the fruit. To prevent this process, you can sprinkle the cut of the fruit with lemon or lime juice and coat it with olive oil. Then the fruit must be stored in the refrigerator, after placing it in an airtight container or wrapping it in cling film.

Rules for storing ripe avocados

Ripe exotic fruit cannot be stored for long periods of time and quickly deteriorates. Having bought a ripe fruit, try to consume it immediately to get the maximum benefit and enjoy its taste.

Cold will help slow down the spoilage process, so it is better to store ripe fruit in the refrigerator. The optimal place is the vegetable compartment, where a constant temperature of +6...8 ℃ is maintained.

Before storing fruit, wrap it tightly in cling film and place it in an airtight plastic container or zip-lock bag. The main requirement is to limit the contact of the fruit with air as much as possible, since oxygen accelerates its ripening.

How to store cut avocado

To avoid such a reaction, use one of the following tips:

Sprinkle half of the remaining fruit with lime or lemon juice. If you don’t have such fruits on hand, choose any sour product -

natural vinegar, orange juice, tomato juice.

Lubricate the cut with olive oil, which will protect the fruit from contact with air. To store, wrap the half in film, put it in a food container and put it in the refrigerator.
Place a couple of onion slices on the bottom of the container, and place the fruit on top, cut side up. This will prevent the product from darkening and significantly extend its shelf life. Don't worry - the avocado will not be saturated with onion aroma and will retain its taste.
If you don't have citrus fruits, onions or olive oil on hand, place the fruit in a container of ice water and put the preparation in the refrigerator. This will allow you to preserve the fruit for a day, but at the same time it will lose its richness of taste and become soft.
Place the product in a vacuum bag and store for no more than 4 days. After this period, it will begin to darken and quickly deteriorate.

Brush the slices with lemon juice or vinegar to prevent oxidation.
Place the halves next to each other, trying to align the cut line as accurately as possible.
Wrap the fruit in cling film to maintain its integrity.
Place the preparation in an airtight container or bag and store it in the refrigerator - near the back wall or in the vegetable drawer. You cannot keep such a product at room temperature - this will not speed up its ripening, but will lead to rapid spoilage.

Freezing is a good way to store food

When a housewife decides how to store an avocado so as not to spoil, the old proven method of storing fruit in the freezer comes to mind.
Of course, this method of storage at low temperatures can slow down all processes in fruits and, as a result, ensure their suitability for food for a long time. The avocado must first be cut into cubes or crushed to a puree. You can do this as follows:

— Take a suitable device for grinding food (blender, grater, meat grinder);

— You can add one tablespoon of lemon juice or lime juice to the puree;

- Stir the mixture thoroughly and place it in portions into plastic containers - not to the top, but so that 2-3 cm remains to the edges, since when frozen, the mass will increase in size and this can damage the container.

Another popular way to store avocados in the freezer involves cutting the fruit into two parts. Each of these parts should be wrapped in cling film and placed in a plastic, airtight bag.

It must be remembered that at low temperatures any product, and in particular fruits, lose some of their nutrients. Moreover, their structure also changes. That is why, after defrosting, the product should be eaten, but under no circumstances should it be re-frozen. Otherwise it will become completely tasteless and useless.

Storing avocados in the freezer can last for 4-6 months. Defrosting of products is carried out under natural conditions: you need to take out the frozen product and leave it for some time, depending on the volume, in a warm place for 12-24 hours. To prevent the avocado puree from turning dark, you need to consume it as quickly as possible.

Top 7 ways to store avocados

Once cut, the avocado can no longer be kept at room temperature. This is where a refrigerator and freezer come to the rescue.

When frozen, the fruit can be stored for up to 5 months.
The refrigerator will only be in good condition for a week.

In both cases, it is necessary to carry out preparatory measures.

Rating of life hacks for storing half an avocado at home (the amount you can store is indicated in parentheses):

Freeze as puree (up to 5 months);
Store in the freezer, cut into pieces (maximum 3 months);
On a bed of chopped onions (6 days);
Sprinkle with lemon or lime juice (6 days);
Lubricate the cut with olive oil (5 days);
In a vacuum bag (maximum 4 days);
In cold water (up to 48 hours).

We recommend: How to properly preserve corn

Now – more details about each.

Freezing

This method maximizes the shelf life of products. The avocado should be soft and ripe.

For preparation in the form of puree, the algorithm of actions is as follows:

Peel and pit the fruit.
Using a fork or blender, puree the pulp until smooth.
Divide the mixture into containers.
Sprinkle with lemon juice and close with a lid.
Place in the freezer.

This preparation is useful for smoothies, sauces, soups and dressings.

Avocado pulp can be cut into cubes and frozen. This semi-finished product is prepared as follows:

5 options for storing wedges in the refrigerator

Only ripe fruit can be placed in the refrigerator. Once cut, it can be sent to a cool environment only after appropriate processing.

Here are 5 options:

Onion base. Onions cut into rings are placed at the bottom of the container, and avocado slices, flesh side up, are placed on it. Close the container.
Sprinkle the pulp with lemon juice. After this, close the slices in a container.
Brush the cut of the fruit with olive oil and place in a container that closes tightly.
Use vacuum bags for storage;
Place half an avocado in cold water. Keep in mind that already on the second day the pulp will begin to darken.

The most effective way is considered to be the first one - with chopped onions. The fruit retains its color and taste for almost a week. Avocado does not absorb the smell of onions, so it remains suitable for desserts.