‘I’m a food storage expert – keep avocados fresh and green for 10 days with my simple tip’

A delicious fruit which is often eaten on toast or in salads, avocados tend to last a few days once ripe.

They have earned a reputation for being temperamental, especially during the ripening process.

Even once they do ripen and turn soft, they don’t stay ripe for very long.

Karl Graham, a food storage expert at Click Storage, has shared a “simple process” which uses scientific reactions to preserve the inside of an avocado.

According to the expert, it “only uses a few materials” and will help extend an avocado’s lifespan.

In order to lengthen the fruit’s lifespan, it’s important to wait for ripeness.

Allow them to come up to room temperature and test their ripeness. Karl said: “If the stem of the avocado can be easily removed from the top of the avocado and the flesh underneath is green, it’s ripe.”

Once ripe, cut the fruit in half and lightly brush the flesh of the avocado with lime or lemon juice.

This contains citric acid, which slows down the oxidation process, which causes them to turn brown.

Karl said: “When avocados are exposed to air, enzymes in the fruit react with oxygen, turning the flesh brown.

“The citric acid in citrus juice helps to inhibit these enzymes, preserving the green colour of the avocado.”

Place the lime or lemon juice-coated fruit halves in an airtight container.

The food storage pro noted: “If the avocado’s not cut, brush some lime or lemon juice on the exterior to help keep it ripe for even longer while in the airtight container.”

Next, place the container in the fridge, as cold temperatures help to slow down avocado ripening.

When exposed to cold temperatures, the enzymes responsible for ripening slow down, which will help prolong the avocado’s shelf life.

Karl added: “This is particularly important for ripe avocados, as they are already at their peak ripeness and can quickly become overripe if left at room temperature.”

According to the expert, all of these tips will help to help to keep the fruit fresh for up to 10 days.