Whether making guacamole, having them in a salad or making avocado on toast, the green fruit has become very popular.
Whilst being packed with plenty of healthy fats and fibre, they are also well known for becoming overripe and mushy within days.
Knowing how to store them can help to extend their shelf life, keeping them fresher for longer.
According to Charles Haverfield, packaging executive at US Packaging and Wrapping, how long the fruit will last first depends on what state it is purchased in.
The expert said: “Naturally, buying an unripe avocado will last you longer – if your avocado is still bright green, it will need around a week to ripen before you can eat it.
“A fully ripe, uncut avocado can last up to two weeks after buying if stored correctly.
“To slow down the ripening process and prevent your avocado from becoming a mushy brown mess, pop it in the fridge which will help keep it firmer and fresher for longer.”
It is best to store the fruit whole for as long as possible because an enzyme in the fruit can cause it to oxidise and turn brown.
The expert added: “Keeping your avocado in a warm, sunny spot will help the ripening process go quicker. Be sure to keep testing the avocado’s firmness to prevent it from overripening.
“You can also try keeping avocados in a fruit bowl with other fruits that release the ripening gas ethylene, such as bananas and apples.”
When it comes to the best way to store the fruit, it depends on how ripe they are and how soon you want to eat them.
If you have a ripe fruit which you wish to eat in the next few days, leave it out on your countertop away from bright light.
However, if you’re looking to keep it fresh for a longer period, the fridge is the best method.
If you have a cut avocado, try squeezing some lemon juice on it to help preserve it for longer.
The expert continued: “Freezing avocado slices is another solution for those that want their avocados to last for several months but aren’t as concerned about texture.”
