Shoppers advised on avocado buying 'rules' in the supermarket

AVOCADOS ARE A STAPLE IN MANY PEOPLE'S DIETS, BUT PICKING THE PERFECT ONE CAN BE A CHALLENGE. 10:09, 29 May 2025Updated 10:10, 29 May 2025 Avocados are a powerhouse of nutrition, packed

with fibre, healthy fats, and essential nutrients. They're a versatile addition to everything from salads and smoothies to toast and guacamole. However, selecting the perfect avocado

can be quite tricky. Thankfully, food connoisseurs have now revealed a straightforward tip that could save shoppers money and prevent disappointment. Vegan.com suggests a golden rule for

buying avocados: never purchase ripe ones. The website elaborates: "Regardless of which variety you choose, the one inviolable rule of purchasing avocados is to only buy them totally

unripe. You want them greenish and rock hard. That enables you to eliminate the risk of bruising." This is because ripe or semi-ripe avocados are more likely to have been squeezed,

handled, or dropped, leading to internal bruising, reports the Express. Even minor bruises can cause brown rot to spread as the avocado ripens. "People tend to squeeze avocados at the

market to test ripeness, and that's all it takes to cause bruising," added the guide on Vegan.com. By opting for only hard, green avocados, shoppers can avoid this issue. While it

may mean waiting a bit before consumption, the outcome is often a much superior piece of fruit. To ripen avocados at home, experts suggest keeping them at room temperature, preferably in a

fruit bowl. If you're keen on hastening the ripening of an avocado, pop it into a paper bag and roll the top closed. This trick often shaves a day off the waiting time. It's

crucial to keep an eye on them, checking at least twice daily, as avocados have a fleeting moment of perfect ripeness. The guide noted: "Figure it takes about a day for a not-quite-ripe

avocado to perfectly ripen. "Then less than another day until it starts going downhill. If you wait too long, it'll often have developed disgusting hairlike brown fibres running

through the fruit." To check if an avocado is ripe, give it a gentle squeeze and feel for softness. However, experts caution against cutting into it prematurely. Should the flesh still

cling to the pit or refuse to mash smoothly, it's not yet ripe, risking the spoiling of the entire fruit. Food experts say there's a simple way to enhance avocados' flavour to

make them taste even better. And it simply requires the addition of one thing you will likely already have in the kitchen cupboard. Article continues below Adding balsamic vinegar not only

introduces antioxidant properties but also adds a distinctive tangy flavour that pairs well with the creamy texture of avocados. For an extra burst of flavour, you can add a sprinkle of salt

or chilli flakes to enhance the taste even further. The recipe is delivers a burst of vibrant flavour in every bite. You can also get creative by adding ingredients like feta cheese, fried

eggs or nuts.