Avocados are a very nutritious fruit and are known for their unsaturated fat content which is good for the heart. This fruit can be enjoyed in salads, as an addition to cooking dishes, or processed into guacamole for dipping or filling sandwiches.
However, sometimes the avocados we buy take longer to ripen than we expect. This article will discuss four simple ways to speed up avocado ripening at home and clear up one common myth about avocado ripening.
### How to Ripe Avocados
Avocados don’t ripen on the tree—only after they’re picked do they begin to ripen. Some studies show that avocados can stay on the tree for up to 12 months without ripening.
KOMPAS.com – Avocados are a very nutritious fruit and are known for their unsaturated fat content which is good for the heart.
However, sometimes the avocados we buy take longer to ripen than we expect.
The following are simple ways to speed up avocado ripening at home that you can do:
Also read: 2 ways to make avocados ripen quickly, take advantage of bananas
Avocados cannot ripen on the tree
Avocados will not ripen on the tree. Only after being picked does the avocado start to ripen. Some studies show that avocados can stay on the tree for up to 12 months without ripening.
Avocados are climacteric fruits, meaning they produce ethylene gas and increase respiration as they begin to ripen.
Ethylene is the main hormone in climacteric fruit that triggers the ripening process. When ripe, avocados develop a smooth, buttery texture and distinctive flavor.
4 easy ways to speed up avocado ripening
Here are four simple ways to speed up avocado ripening:
1. Store in a paper bag or newspaper
Avocados produce ethylene gas. Storing them in a material that can trap gas, such as a paper bag or newspaper, will speed up ripening.
Also read: 7 Diseases that Can Be Prevented with Avocados
Generally, avocados will ripen in 3–4 days this way. Plastic bags don’t provide the same results because they are not porous enough, unless they are slightly opened to allow the avocado to “breathe.”
2. Store in a warm place
Cold temperatures, such as in the refrigerator, will slow down the ripening process. On the other hand, storing avocados at temperatures around 20 degrees Celsius will speed up ripening because avocados produce more ethylene at warmer temperatures.
Diseases that can be relieved by eating avocados.3. Store with bananas
Bananas are also climacteric fruits that produce a lot of ethylene. By storing avocados with bananas, the ethylene gas from the bananas will speed up the ripening of the avocados.
In warm conditions, avocados can ripen within 1-2 days if stored with bananas. However, check the avocado every day to ensure it is not too ripe.
Also read: Avocado Vegetable Salad Recipe, Suitable for Dieters
4. Wrap in plastic after cutting
If you have cut an unripe avocado, place the pieces back together and wrap them in plastic cling wrapthen store it in the refrigerator.
Even though ripening is slower due to cold temperatures, cut avocados still produce ethylene and will ripen.
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