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Why You’re Always Picking Bad Avocados

Whole and cut avocados sit together in a horizontal line.
j.chizhe/Shutterstock.com

From delicious avocado toast to guacamole, it’s nice to have avocado on hand to mak delicious dishes. If, however, you’ve ever had trouble discerning the proper piece of produce, there might be a reason why.

You might be testing your avocados for ripeness in the wrong way.

If you’re anything like me, you gently squeeze the sides of your avocado to discern if it’s ripe enough to use. An avocado with a little give is ready to be eaten, too mushy and it’s past its prime. And if it’s too hard, it’s not quite ready.

That method, however, can lead to a bruised avocado and brown spots in your dishes that are unsightly. But if you can’t squeeze, how should you test the fruit for ripeness?

All you need to do is apply a little pressure to the tip. Press down lightly on the stem, and if it gives but retains its shape, you’ve got a perfectly ripe avocado. If the pressure leaves a dent, it’s overripe and if it doesn’t move at all, it’s not ripe yet.

Whether you need immediately ripe avocados for some guacamole or are planning to make avocado toast in a few days. this avocado testing method will help you discern the perfect fruit at the grocery store and keep your meals bright and green just as you like them.

Shea Simmons Shea Simmons
Shea Simmons is the Assignments Editor at LifeSavvy. Previously, she worked as a freelance writer with a focus on beauty and lifestyle content. Her work has appeared in Bustle, Allure, and Hello Giggles. Read Full Bio »
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