Many people love avocados. They are delicious as well as having a multitude of health benefits. Found in our plates quite often nowadays, the avocado is not going anywhere anytime soon. In order to reduce waste and in order for you to conserve your avocado halves longer, here are 6 tips and tricks to slow down the oxidation so your avocados don’t overripen anymore.
6. Olive oil
This method allows prolonging the life expectancy of your avocado without altering the taste nor the smell of it. All you need to do is brush olive oil on the half you want to keep before placing it in your fridge in an airtight container. The oil will form a protective layer and will prevent air from coming into contact with the green flesh.
5. Onion
Place a few onion slices in an airtight container near the avocado half you want to keep. The gas that onions produce, the same vapours that burn your eyes, will allow the avocado to stay greener longer. In order for your avocado to not taste like onion, make sure the onion slices don’t touch the avocado.
4. Lemon juice
Known to prolong the freshness of various fruits and veggies, lemon juice is often used to conserve different foods. The citric acid in the juice is what helps keep foods fresh. Squeeze some lemon on top of your avocado half if you enjoy the lemony taste or cut a slice and place it on the fruit so it doesn’t taste too strongly of lemon.
3. Keep the pit
After cutting your avocado in half, keep the second half with the pit and eat the no-pit half. Having the pit reduces contact of air with a good part of the fruit which prevents oxidation all while reducing the speed in which your avocado will darken.
2. Plastic film
Plastic film will also prevent the avocado flesh of getting in contact with the ambient air and will thus prevent oxidation. Make sure you cover the whole avocado half before placing it in the fridge.
1. Cold water
If you’re planning on using your second avocado half a few hours after cutting it, place that half in a cold water recipient. This trick is often used in restaurants and is very effective. Dunked in water, the fruit does not risk getting in contact with the air. It won’t oxidize itself. Of course, this method only works for a limited time. The avocado will become too soft if it stays in the water for a long period of time.
Sources:
- Améliore ta santé
- The Spruce
