How to preserve avocado?

Avocado is a delicious fruit, loved by many foodies. So sometimes we can eat an avocado in one sitting.

But not always when we buy avocado we want to use it all at once. There are times when we want to save a portion for later or for the next day.

The problem is that not everyone knows how to preserve avocado in good condition, to consume later. But if you want to know how to preserve avocado, take a look at the guide we have prepared.

Why does avocado ripen so fast?

Unlike other fruits, the avocado begins its ripening process once it has been plucked from the tree. And it cannot be stopped.

This is due to two factors: the enzyme called polyphenol oxidase present in the avocado and exposure to oxygen in the air. This makes the avocado ripe in a matter of days (sometimes hours).

In all the following tips, we will try to slow down this process to preserve avocados for a longer period of time.

Tips to preserve avocados

Preserve the pit

If you only plan to use one part of the avocado, take the part without the seed and preserve the part with the pit. The pit (or seed) acts as a kind of wall that prevents oxygen from penetrating the avocado and will preserve it in better condition for longer.

This applies whether you cut the avocado in half or mash it. In fact, guacamole is also often preserved with the seed for the same reason.

Wrap in plastic bag or plastic wrap

In addition to storing the part you want to keep with the pit, you can also store the avocado in a plastic bag or wrap it in plastic wrap. This can give greater preservation to the avocado after you have opened it. Especially because it prevents oxygen from penetrating into the flesh of the fruit.

Keep in the refrigerator

This trick is ideal both for those who want the avocado to be tender for a little longer and for those who want to store the avocado after it has been opened.

The cold decreases the production of ethylene, another component of the avocado that aids in its ripening process. If you combine these with the above tricks, the avocado could be preserved for longer.

If you simply want your avocado to ripen for a while afterward, the coolness of the refrigerator will come in handy.

Soaking in cold water

This tip is only useful for using the avocado briefly so that it does not oxidize (like when preparing guacamole). You simply take the avocado open and immerse it in cold water to limit its contact with oxygen. This is a trick widely used in restaurants.

Red onion

Red onion is also a great ally for avocado preservation, since it has vapors that slow down the oxidation process.

The trick is as easy as cutting some pieces of considerable size and placing them on top of the avocado (over the pulp). In this trick, you must also keep the avocado pit. Place it in a bowl with the avocado pit facing upwards.

Olive Oil or Lemon Juice

Lemon is also used to preserve avocados (as in guacamole). Sprinkle a little lemon juice on the avocado before preserving in a place where it will not come in contact with oxygen.

You can also spray it with olive oil, since it will prevent the fruit from coming into contact with oxygen in the air. However, by doing it this way, you could modify the avocado’s flavor.

Mash it

Others choose to mash the avocado or prepare a dressing to prevent the avocado from spoiling (or at least preserve what is good).

You could prepare a guacamole, and cover it in an airtight container with plastic wrap to preserve it longer.

Some final tips

Finally, follow these tips if you want to preserve avocado well.

• Avocado does not keep for too long, so eat it quickly. All these tricks may help you to slow down the ripening process, but you can’t stop it. So it is very difficult to keep avocado for too long, maximum 3 days. Then the natural process of decomposition begins.
• Combine several of the tricks. You don’t have to limit yourself to just one tip. Combine several of them to preserve the avocado in better condition. In fact, many people use several tricks at once so that the fruit preserves its flavor for more days.

Would you like to try a creamy and healthy avocado? Check out our organic avocados.