Keep these tips in mind next time you’re shopping to make yourfamous guacamole.
As they ripen and soften, their skin darkens until they’re past their prime and nearly black.
Tip: store unripe avocados at room temperature, not in the fridge.
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Once they’re soft, move them to the fridge to slow down the ripening process and prevent rot.
Riper fruits and veggies will have some give to them, but they should reshape quickly after a squeeze.
Unripe fruit will be quite hard, and overly ripe fruit will be too forgiving and will bruise easily.
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Weigh your options
While you’re holding that fruit, consider the weight.
As with most fruit, 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.
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A firm, weighty fruit is likely fresher and in better shape.
The stem can be another helpful indicator of ripeness.
When fruits are ripe and ready to be picked, they will easily and quickly release from their stem.
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If the stem is firmly intact and won’t budge, you’re dealing with a lesser ripe fruit.
If it’s looser, your avocado is probably ready to eat.
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