Summer is the perfect season for enjoying a wide variety of fruits, each one more delicious than the last. While durian, jackfruit, and lychee usually steal the show, we must not overlook the avocado.
In this article, we will help you learn how to differentiate between different types of avocados and reveal the secrets to choosing delicious ones.
3 popular and easy-to-find types of avocados
1. Sap Avocado
Sap avocado is a common variety grown in Dak Lak, Vietnam. It has a dark green color and a slightly oval shape. When ripe, it feels firm but has slightly yellow flesh that is soft and sweet.
2. Hass Avocado
Hass avocado originates from Australia. It has a thick, hard skin that turns greenish-black or purple when ripe. Hass avocado has a similar taste to sap avocado but is distinguishable by its skin color.
3. Long Avocado or 034 Avocado
The long avocado has a tapered shape, starting round at the bottom and gradually getting smaller towards the stem. It is not as round and slender as sap or Hass avocado. This variety is about 20-25cm long and has a thin skin, small seeds, and fragrant, creamy flesh. It is often referred to as 034 avocado because of its seed, which originates from Lam Dong, Vietnam. When grown in Lam Dong, this avocado variety has excellent productivity, quality, and taste.
Tips for choosing ripe avocados without mushiness
1. Observe the avocado stem
To determine if an avocado is ripe, check the color of the stem. If the core of the stem is green and not too dark, the avocado is not yet ripe. A slightly green and slightly yellow stem indicates a perfectly ripe avocado with a delicious taste.
In addition to the color, gently squeeze the stem. If it feels soft, the avocado is likely overripe and might be mushy. Avocados ripen from the bottom to the stem, so a firm stem indicates optimal ripeness.
2. Color of the avocado skin
A ripe avocado has a shiny, unblemished skin that feels firm when held. Avocados with green skin and yellow flecks have higher sap content, resulting in softer and creamier flesh. Avocados with purple or brownish-yellow skin usually have more fiber.
3. Feeling when holding an avocado
When selecting an avocado, hold it and gently squeeze around it. If it feels heavy and firm, but the bottom part is soft when squeezed, it is a ripe and delicious avocado.
Furthermore, gently shake the avocado and listen to the sound it makes. A good avocado will have a sound coming from the seed. If the sound is small and the avocado feels tight, it is overripe. If it makes a hollow thud sound, it is unripe.
How to ripen and store avocados
To speed up the ripening process of avocados, place them next to apples or bananas or in a dark-colored bag. The ethylene gas emitted by the apples and bananas will help them ripen faster. Normally, avocados take about 6 days to ripen after being picked, but this method can shorten the time to 1-3 days.
If the avocado is ripe but you can’t eat it all, rub a little lemon juice on the surface, place it in a zip or vacuum-sealed bag, and store it in the refrigerator. The lemon juice will prevent the avocado from turning brown and maintain its freshness.
You can also remove the avocado skin and seed, put the flesh in a zip bag, and store it in the freezer. When you want to eat it, simply take it out and thaw.
With these tips, we hope you can choose, buy, and store delicious avocados with confidence.
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