Avocados stay fresh for longer without going brown when stored with 1 simple ingredient

Avocados are a delicious addition to any breakfast, but there is nothing worse than buying this delicious fruit only to discover the inside is brown and rotten after a few days. 

Popular advice on social media is to store sliced avocados in water to keep the used half fresh, but not only does this not work, but it is also a health hazard that could make you sick. 

Placing avocados in water creates a moist environment that encourages bacteria such as salmonella. Even if the water looks clean, it will be contaminated, as any germs on the avocado skin will multiply. 

The proper way to store a sliced avocado half 

Instead, the experts at Appetise have shared that the best way to keep half an avocado fresh is to simply coat the flesh with citrus juice. 

They said: “We’ve all been there – you only needed half an avocado, and now you’re left with the other half. But fear not! You can prevent it from turning brown and keep it fresh for later use. 

“Start by drizzling the exposed flesh with some lemon or lime juice. The natural acidity acts as a shield against browning.” 

When you cut an avocado and expose its flesh to air, an enzyme activates, causing it to spoil and turn brown. 

Lemon juice has a low pH, which interferes with the activity of the enzyme. The juice also creates a protective layer over the flesh to prevent it from spoiling before its time. 

All you need to do is pour lemon juice on avocado flesh, wrap it tightly in clingfilm and then store it in a container with a lid to limit its exposure to air. 

This should keep the avocado half fresh for a few extra days so you can enjoy a fresh breakfast treat without worrying about wasting food. 

If you do not have lemon juice and are making something savoury with your avocado, consider storing it with a slice of onion. 

The expert said: “The sulphur compounds contained in the onion help slow down oxidation, preventing browning. Store the avocado in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and it should stay fresh for an extra day or two.”

However, the onion will affect the taste of the avocado, so consider this before trying the onion slice storage method.

If you are making guacamole, then the onion method is fine to use but if you are going to make a smoothie with the avocado slice then use the lemon method.