Avocado is a product that has many beneficial properties. Its pulp contains about 30% oil, less than 2% sugar, about 2% proteins, many vitamins (A, C, D, PP, E, K, B) and mineral salts (phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, calcium).
Due to its benefits and pleasant unusual taste, this fruit is very popular, but not every buyer knows how to choose an avocado and avoid making a mistake.
Avocado contains a large amount of vitamins.
How to choose a ripe avocado in the store
Ripe fruits are most suitable for consumption, so you need to take them.
Ripeness depending on variety
One of the criteria by which the degree of ripeness of a fruit can be assessed is the type of its peel. However, there are several varieties of avocados that have different colors.
The green varieties most often sold in stores are:
- Pinkerton is pear-shaped, with white-green flesh and pimply skin.
- Fuerte is oblong in shape, with light flesh.
If you have made a choice in favor of a green variety, then you should focus on those fruits that have a rich green tint. If the skin is too light, this is a sign of unripeness, and shades close to black indicate that the fruit is overripe.
There are also dark varieties:
- Royal black is round in shape, with a small pit and yellow flesh.
- Hass is round in shape, with a small seed and pale yellow flesh.
Avocados of the listed varieties should have a dark shade. The Hass variety is characterized by a purple tint. Light green color is a sign of immaturity.
Peel color and condition
The color of the skin may vary depending on the variety. However, the peel should never have external defects - mold, dents, rotten areas, etc. The skin should be tight and not tear off when squeezed.
Selection criterion based on peel color.
Fruit hardness
To check ripeness, you can lightly press on the fruit. You should not press too hard, this will lead to rotting and will not provide the necessary information. If, when pressed, the fruit bends slightly and then returns to its original state, it means it is ripe. Avocados that are not yet ripe are always hard.
However, it is also worth considering the variety: some avocados have tougher skins than others.
Inspection of the stalk
To choose the right avocado, you need to pay attention to the stalk. In the optimal case, if you apply a little pressure on the “tail”, it will easily separate. If the stem does not come off, the fruit is unripe.
Checking the ripeness of an avocado.
Fetal shaking
You can also shake the avocado to check ripeness.
If you hear a knock, it means the fruit is already ripe.
This happens because there is a bone inside, which in ripe fruits is attached to the walls much less tightly than in the case when the fruit is not yet ready for consumption or when the pulp is already rotten and too soft.
Appearance of the fruit, benefits and harms
The shape of an avocado, depending on the variety, can be round or pear-shaped, and the color can range from deep green to black. What is the secret of his popularity? This unique fruit is incredibly rich in healthy fats and also contains about 20 vitamins and minerals. In addition, it is extremely low in carbohydrates and high in fiber, which is why avocado is so often included in the diet of those who follow weight loss diets.
But, like any other product, it can bring not only benefits, but also harm. Estragole and anethole contained in its composition in large quantities can lead to complications in people suffering from liver diseases. Discomfort can also occur in those who have stomach problems, who have too thin blood and high potassium levels in the body. In addition, it should be consumed with caution by pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, as avocados may reduce breast milk production. Those taking anti-inflammatory medications should also avoid the fruit so as not to reduce the effectiveness of the medications. The basic rule to follow is to know when to stop. A moderate amount of avocado will be extremely beneficial for people who are not allergic to it.
Determining maturity at home
After purchase, you can check ripeness at home by separating the stalk. Ideally, the remaining indentation will be light brown in color. If the shade is too dark, the fruit is overripe.
You can cut the fruit into 2 parts and examine the pulp:
- the flesh of an avocado that is overripe is too wet and brownish;
- the ripe, most edible fruit has moderately moist pulp;
- dryish pulp is a sign of unripe fruit.
Wet pulp of a ripe fruit.
What varieties are there?
You are planning to buy an avocado, you already know how to choose a ripe fruit by color, but an unexpected surprise may await you here, because the varieties, like the colors, can be different. The varieties Fuerte, Charvil, Ettinger and Reed remain green even when they reach optimal maturity. Haas avocados, on the other hand, turn dark purple and even black when ripe. The Gwen variety is very similar to it, but its skin color is closer to green, although rather dark. The ripened Bacon variety also has a dark green peel. That is why, when purchasing, be sure to specify what type of fruit is in front of you.
Which avocado should you not buy?
You should not buy a fruit that has signs of overripeness, because it is not suitable for consumption, while an unripe specimen can ripen at home.
There is also no need to take fruit that does not have a characteristic aroma. You should not choose those that have a sticky layer on the skin: its presence indicates that the fruit has been processed to increase transportation time.
You should not eat overripe fruit.
Use
What is better to combine it with? This fruit is one of the most satisfying in the world, like bananas. Of course, it can be eaten raw or in any other form. It will be very tasty if you put butter on a slice of black bread, and put avocado slices on top (you can chop them and make a paste) and add a little salt. The fruit will harmonize perfectly as an ingredient in a salad. It’s very tasty to add avocado to a salad of cherry tomatoes, cheese, crackers, herbs, boiled chicken and almonds. By the way, it is best to combine avocado with cheese on a skewer, after dipping it in honey. There are many different recipes that include avocado. You can serve the fruit as a side dish with various fish, such as salmon, tuna or salmon. An unusual option would be to add it to unsweetened cottage cheese or low-fat yogurt. A combination with a boiled egg and fresh vegetables would also be an excellent alternative for breakfast. You may also be surprised to learn that some chefs include avocados in fruit platters that are traditionally served at restaurant banquets. This is due to the fact that the fruit is quite tasteless, but healthy and has a slightly nutty, delicate taste. A wonderful combination with bananas and dried fruits, sometimes with sour green apples. As you may have noticed, there are many variations in preparing avocados. This is a fairly picky fruit that goes well with almost all foods.
In the article, we managed to find out what a ripe avocado looks like and how to choose the right one. Nutritionists advise consuming small amounts of the fruit every day, since it is rich, as mentioned earlier, in beneficial microelements that help improve digestion, as well as saturate organs and internal tissues with essential substances and vitamins. It is known that during the cold season there are few vegetables and fruits on store shelves. However, avocado is always present, at any time of the year. So feel free to stock up on nutritious fruit, cook delicious meals, and most importantly, be healthy!
Methods for ripening avocados
If you purchased an unripe fruit, it can ripen at home. There are several ways to do this.
In the newspaper
Unripe avocados can be wrapped in newspaper, placed each in a separate box and placed under a working radiator. Ripening will last approximately 2-3 days.
To ripen, wrap the fruit in newspaper.
In a paper bag
Ripening may be facilitated by exposure to other fruits. You need to put the unripe fruit in an opaque paper bag. Then place other fruits there, close tightly and store at room temperature for 2-3 days.
Ripening in a bag at room temperature.
Warming up in the oven
The fruit needs to be washed and dried. Then wrap in foil and put in the oven preheated to 200 degrees. You need to pull it out after 9-11 minutes.
In the microwave
It is necessary to wash and dry the avocado, and then pierce the peel with a knife in several places. If the skin remains intact, the fruit may rupture due to the expansion of the flesh.
After this, the fruit is placed in a sealed container and heated in the microwave for 30 seconds. If the fruit is not at all ripe, the time can be increased to a minute. This is the fastest way to make it ripen.
In the microwave, 30 seconds is enough for ripening.
In foil
If there is no rush, you can wrap the fruit in foil and leave to ripen at room temperature for 2-3 days.
Ripening in foil.
Using boiling water
Pouring boiling water over the fruit can help speed up the ripening of avocados. First you need to clean it and cut it into slices. The fruit should remain in boiling water for 2 minutes.
Cut fruit
A halved avocado can be sprinkled with citric acid. Then the slices need to be combined, wrapped in cling film and left to ripen.
Spray the avocado with citric acid.
Smoothie
This is an incredibly healthy snack. It can be served as a drink or as a cold soup for an afternoon snack, for example.
Ingredients:
- Avocado – 1 pc.;
- Apple – 1 pc.;
- Spinach – 1 bunch;
- Olive oil – 2 drops;
- Honey – 1 tbsp. l.;
- Water – 1 glass (mineral or plain).
Wash and dry the spinach. Remove the core of the apple and cut the pulp into small cubes. Cut the avocado in half, remove the pit and scoop out the pulp. Combine all ingredients and blend in a blender until smooth. Add water, honey and a drop of olive oil to taste. Serve immediately.
Proper storage of avocados
The fruit needs to be stored differently depending on its degree of maturity and condition.
Ripe and green
The ripe fruit can be placed in a plastic container and refrigerated. It is also possible to use a vacuum bag. Avocados can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than a week.
Green, not yet ripe fruits should be kept warm. They will not ripen in the cold.
Store the avocado in a vacuum bag in the refrigerator.
cut
If you have already cut the fruit and it turns out to be ripe, you can sprinkle it with citric acid, put the halves together, wrap it in cling film and place it in the refrigerator.
Freezing the fruit
If you need to preserve your avocados for a long time, you can do this by freezing them. The fruit must be washed, dried, and peeled. Puree the avocado pulp in a blender or simply cut it into small pieces. Then add a few drops of lemon juice. Place the mashed avocado or slices into ice cube trays and place in the freezer.
Avocado puree in the freezer.
Sandwiches
You can whip up a hearty and delicious appetizer with canned fish.
Ingredients:
- Canned tuna – 140 grams;
- Avocado – 1 pc.;
- Bread – 4-6 slices;
- Salt, pepper, herbs, lemon - to taste.
Dry the bread a little in a frying pan, in a toaster or in the oven. Peel the avocado and cut into thin slices. Mash the tuna with a fork. Cut the lemon into slices. Wash and dry the greens. Place avocado slices, fish, lemon and herbs on bread. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve.
Cleansing and eating
After the fruit is washed and wiped dry, it needs to be cut into halves. If the avocado is ripe, they should easily separate from the pit. Next you need to decide how you will consume the fruit. Depending on this, you can either scrape out the pulp with a spoon or separate the skin with a knife.
Is it possible to eat unripe
It is better not to eat unripe avocados. This fruit is tasteless and unhealthy. Unripe fruit contains a large amount of toxins.
Unripe avocados are not recommended for consumption.
Guacamole
A soft and well-ripened avocado is suitable for this snack.
Ingredients:
- Avocado – 1 pc.;
- Tomatoes – 2 pcs.;
- Onion – 1/3 pcs.;
- Greens – 1/2 bunch;
- Salt, chili pepper - to taste;
- Lemon juice – 1-1.5 tbsp. l.
Cut the avocado in half, remove the pit and scoop out the pulp. Mash it with a fork into a puree. Peel and chop the onion. Cut the tomatoes into as small cubes as possible. Squeeze lemon juice and chop the herbs. Combine all ingredients, add salt and chili pepper to taste. Stir and serve.
Cleaning process
You can do a final ripeness check at home. Cut the cutting from the top, evaluate the color and smell. The pulp of the ripe berry is yellow-green and smells like oil. An unripe avocado fruit is pale yellow inside. Externally, the pulp is like a pear and has almost no odor.
Peeling an avocado is easy:
- Wash the fruit under running water and wipe dry with a towel.
- Use a sharp knife to make a longitudinal cut in a circle. Don't touch the bone.
- Hold the avocado in your palms and hook your thumbs around the top.
- With a little effort, divide the fruit into two halves.
- Remove the bone by picking it up with a knife.
- Using a teaspoon, remove the pulp from the skin.
Would you like to buy an avocado with a small pit at the store to get more valuable pulp after peeling? Choose Fuetre, Hass or Pinkerton varieties.
Like a ripe apple, a cut avocado immediately begins to darken and oxidize. To stop this process, sprinkle the pulp with lemon juice.
The shelf life of the fruit in the refrigerator is 2-3 days. I wonder how they eat it?
