AVOCADOS

HOW TO CHECK FOR RIPENESS

An avocado is ripe when the flesh closest to the stem is soft when gently pressed and the stem plug will flip out easily. Hass avocados will turn a deep purple when ripe. Shepard avocados do not change their green skin when ripe.

PURCHASING

Select avocados that are free of blemishes and bruises, which are ripe if you want to use them the same day.

If you need them in two to three days’ time, buy less ripe ones and store at room temperature. If you want them to last two weeks, buy unripe avocados and store in the fridge. They will still ripen while in the fridge, but much more slowly. To speed up the ripening process, move them from the fridge to the fruit bowl.

STORING

Store ripe avocados in the fridge and use within two to three days. Unripe avocados should be stored at room temperature until ripe. Check each day by gently pressing near the top where the stem