I absolutely love avocados but no one, including me, wants to use an avocado that is brown and overly mushy. Outside of simply putting the avocado in the fridge, is there a way to increase their life expectancy?
TikTok is full of hacks claiming that keeping avocados submerged in a container of water in the refrigerator preserves them for months.
Unfortunately, the opposite is true. According to the Food and Drug Administration, the trend causes contamination as bacteria that grows on the skin can seep into the fruit. This hack went viral two years ago but that doesn’t mean it isn’t still lingering in the online ocean. I decided to investigate this more by researching a few different and completely safe alternatives to keep your avocados from browning.
Use lemon juice
You might have seen your mom use a squeeze of lemon juice on apple slices so they don’t brown. Turns out this works on other fruits too. This method simply uses a single lemon slice and the avocado. You can either squeeze lemon juice on the avocado half or brush the avocado. The lemon juice has citric acid which prevents oxidation. You can store it in a container that is airtight as well or wrap in plastic wrap.
Make a water bath
Okay, okay, I know what I just said about TikTok but Jessica Gavin is not your ordinary TikToker. She is not only a certified culinary scientist but also a chef and she provides a hack with safety and some fun science facts. Gavin actively prevents browning through a bathwater she makes for avocados.
She cuts the fresh avocados and adds to a bowl with water. She then adds a tablespoon of lemon juice and stirs it. Using her knowledge of chemistry and science, she explains that she created an acidulated water bath which slows down the browning process as the citrus reacts to oxygen instead of the enzymes in the avocados. Let the avocados sit for five to seven minutes and remove, shaking off excess water. If you let them sit for longer than 10 minutes, they will begin to soften.
Use olive oil
A fast way to preserve your avocados is to brush olive oil over the exposed avocado. This creates a lipid layer that is a barrier between the flesh of the avocado and the oxygen surrounding it. According to experts, it is best to use light olive oil because it is less heavy and compliments avocados in taste. The avocados can last up to four days in an airtight container.
Freeze avocados
You can freeze avocados like many fruits and vegetables. First, wash your avocados and then cut them into quarters. After removing the skin, place the cut avocado in a resealable bag and freeze for up to one month. Alternatively, you can mash the avocados, which can save space in the freezer and makes for an easy guacamole.
Store avocados with an onion
Onions release sulfur, so adding it to a container with sliced avocados won’t pose any threat. The onion does not overpower the avocado and leaves only a hint of a taste. The avocado stays green and fresh for up to three days as stated by food blogger and cookbook author Nicole Modic.