How to Know An Avocado Is Ripe

Avocados, like bananas or mangos, ripen after harvesting. This makes distribution much easier, but in order to enjoy an avocado at it's peak ripeness, you need to know what to look for.

When selecting an avocado, you will probably be sorting through a large batch. You should notice some subtle variation in skin tone across the pile.

Different varietals of avocado will have different base colors. Generally, the darker avocados in the pile will be closer to being ready to eat. But color alone, is not a reliable indicator of ripeness. Some varietals never do darken.

If the avocado yields to firm gentle pressure you know it's ready. It should feel soft, almost like pressing your finger into cold silly putty. A ripe avocado should be consumed as soon as possible. Again, certain varietals will tend to be firmer than others, so it does take some experimentation to learn how to spot a great avocado every time.

This avocado has a sticker on it that says "ripe when soft". And that's about as much valuable information as you can fit on such a small sticker.

Very firm and green. this one will need some time, maybe even several days. If you would like it to ripen faster, place it in a paper bag with an apple or a banana. Apples and bananas both produce ethylene, a plant hormone which can induce ripening.

How to Ripen An Avocado

The most effective way to ripen an avocado is to place it in a paper bag with an apple or a banana.

You can see that this avocado is too ripe. It's so soft that it's nearly liquid inside. When you press your thumb into it, it easily forms a large pocket. this avocado is not worth eating. Toss it.

Still firm, but it yields gently to the touch. Serve this one immediately.

How to Cut Avocado

The two most common ways to cut an avocado.