Tips

The Tasty Secret: How to Spot Tree-Ripened Avocados, a Young Foodie’s Guide

Avocados are a nutrient-rich fruit that has gained a dedicated following, with many eagerly awaiting their seasonal arrival. However, knowing how to select the perfect avocado from the bunch can be a challenge. Join us as we explore one girl's guide to spotting a ripe and tasty avocado!

Administrator

9 August, 2024

As we approach the avocado season, knowing how to pick the perfect ripe and tasty avocados is a ‘secret’ that every homemaker should know. A young woman named Le Thanh Van recently shared on social media a very useful tip on how to choose ripe avocados, and we are here to explore this with you!

1 The Difference Between Ripe and Unripe Avocados

According to Le Thanh Van, there are four stages of ripeness in avocados. Ripe avocado 1 is one that falls off the tree naturally and will be ready to eat the next day. Ripe avocado 2 will ripen on its own after being picked without any tricks, and it ripens from the bottom up. Ripe avocado 3 is an avocado that has been picked and then ripened with tricks (soaked in water or wrapped in a damp cloth), and it ripens from the top down. Lastly, ripe avocado 4 is an overripe avocado, and you can taste the bitterness of life in it.

She further explains that the reason unripe avocados are harvested is that, like many other fruits, avocados are picked early to increase their weight and reduce the tree’s effort in nourishing the fruit for too long. Additionally, unripe avocados have a longer shelf life and are easier to transport over long distances.

2 How to Tell Ripe and Unripe Avocados Apart

When buying avocados, it’s essential to distinguish between ripe and unripe ones because only ripe avocados are creamy, buttery, and delicious. However, finding the perfect avocado is not always easy.

Le Thanh Van shared a tip on how to examine the outer shape of the avocado, especially the top part. She said, “The top of a ripe avocado has smooth skin with fine white spots, and you feel it sinking under the green skin. On the other hand, unripe avocados have a slightly rough outer layer that doesn’t feel taut and smooth.”

Additionally, you can also tell if an avocado is ripe by looking at its bottom. A ripe avocado will have a tight and puffed-up bottom, whereas an unripe one will have a wrinkled bottom. The closer the avocado is to being tree-ripe, the puffier its bottom will be.

Many people also shared their experiences and tips on buying avocados. One person, Gia Bao, commented, “The simplest way is to shake the avocado and listen for the pit to rattle. Why do we need to examine the outside? My family has almost one hectare of avocado trees, and we always do this.”

Regarding avocado storage, Ruby Hoang shared, “Avocados are not soaked in water because they are unripe, but because they often experience heat shock during transportation, which causes them to lose water, wilt, harden, and rot at the top. So, to get perfectly ripe avocados, place them in a basket for 15 minutes after receiving them, then soak them in water for 15 to 30 minutes, and finally, arrange them in a ventilated basket. Spray water directly on the avocados 3-5 times a day to provide enough moisture, and they will ripen naturally and beautifully.”

Dương Thủy shared a different technique, saying, “For the 034 avocado variety, after picking, they must be soaked in a dilute salt water solution for about 30 minutes and then drained to ripen evenly.”

Oải Hương, from Daklak, shared her experience: “Actually, avocados lose water and don’t ripen evenly due to the hot weather. Whenever an avocado falls from the tree, I wash it, then put it in a rice bucket for a few days to ripen. The important thing is how you store and ripen the avocado to make it perfect.”

Some comments also suggested that if an avocado doesn’t ripen evenly, you can cut and eat the ripe parts and then wrap the unripe parts to be eaten later.

Indeed, choosing the perfect avocado is not an easy task! If you have any tips or tricks for selecting avocados, please share them with us in the comments.

We hope that with this article, you have gained valuable knowledge to choose the most perfect and delicious avocados!

Frequently asked questions

A ripe avocado should feel soft but not mushy when gently squeezed. It will also have a dark green to black color and a creamy texture when cut open.

Tree-ripened avocados are allowed to fully mature on the tree before being picked, resulting in a richer, nuttier flavor and a creamier texture. Store-bought avocados are often picked early and ripen during transport or on store shelves, which can affect their taste and texture.

You can find them at specialty grocers, farmers’ markets, or directly from avocado groves or orchards. They may be labeled as ‘tree-ripened’ or ‘hand-picked.’

To slow down the ripening process, store unripe avocados at room temperature, away from direct sunlight. Once they are ripe, you can refrigerate them for a few days to maintain their freshness.

Avocados are incredibly versatile. Aside from the classic guacamole, you can add avocado slices to salads, sandwiches, tacos, or breakfast dishes like eggs Benedict. You can also blend avocados into smoothies, use them as a base for healthy pudding, or even bake with them.