How to Choose an Avocado

Knowing how to choose an avocado is essential in selecting one that is perfect for your needs. Whether you need a ripe avocado, underripe avocado, or even an overripe avocado, they all serve different purposes and can be used in different recipes. This tutorial will show you how to choose an avocado that is right for you!

Are you tired of picking out avocados that are either too hard or too mushy? Knowing how to choose an avocado can be a daunting task, but fear not! With a few simple tips and tricks, you’ll be able to select the ripest and most delicious avocados every time.

Whether you’re a fan of avocado toast or just love eating them as a snack, learning how to properly choose an avocado will help you get the most out of this popular fruit. If you’re interested in knowing more about the nutrition of avocados, check out Healthline as they detail 7 benefits to eating them!

If you’re looking for recipes that use avocado, try these Sweet Potato Appetizer with Bacon and Avocado, Easy Chunky Guacamole and Bacon Avocado Grilled Cheese with Garlic Aioli.

Why We Love Avocados

To stay fresh for longer, use an avocado keeper to store your avocados and prevent them from browning!

• Nutritious: Avocados have numerous health benefits. They are rich in nutrients and vitamins that are essential for maintaining a healthy body. One of the most notable nutrients found in avocados is potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure and prevent heart diseases. In fact, one medium-sized avocado contains about 20% of the recommended daily intake of potassium.
• Versatile: Avocados are one of the most versatile fruits that you can find in any grocery store. They can be added to a wide variety of dishes ranging from smoothies to guacamole, in order to enhance their flavor and nutritional value. Avocados are packed with healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals that make them an excellent addition to any diet.
• Freezer Friendly: Avocados can be frozen to prolong their life. As avocados ripen quickly, freezing them is a great way to keep them stored for longer. We will discuss below just how to properly freeze your avocados!

What is Avocado?

Avocado is a fruit that has been gaining popularity in recent years as a superfood due to its numerous health benefits. It is native to Mexico and Central America. The avocado tree produces pear-shaped fruits with a tough outer skin and creamy flesh inside.

One thing that sets avocados apart from other fruits is their high fat content. However, unlike the saturated fats found in meat and dairy products, the fats in avocados are mostly heart-healthy monounsaturated fats that can help lower cholesterol levels. They also contain plenty of fiber, vitamins C and K, potassium, and antioxidants.

Aside from being highly nutritious, avocados are also incredibly versatile when it comes to cooking. Mash into guacamole or spread on toast as a healthy breakfast option.

Types of Avocados

• Type 1: The Hass avocado is the most popular type of avocado. This variety has a dark brown or blackish skin when ripe and has a buttery texture with an excellent nutty flavor.
• Type 2: The Fuerte avocado is another variety from Mexico. This type has a smooth green skin that turns darker when ripe; it’s larger than the Hass variety and has thicker flesh.

Benefits of Avocados

• Benefit 1: Avocados have heart-healthy monounsaturated fats which help lower bad cholesterol levels in the body. This means they can help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
• Benefit 2: Avocados are high in fiber which promotes digestion and gut health while also keeping you feeling full for longer periods of time.
• Benefit 3: Avocados are an excellent source of vitamins C,E,K,B6 as well as potassium and folate. They will boost immunity against infections while also supporting healthy skin, eyesight and brain function.

How to Choose an Avocado

With so many different types of avocados available at your local grocery store or farmers market, it’s important to know what to look for when selecting the perfect one.

These are the basic steps for how to choose an avocado. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.

Avocados to use right away

Ripe avocados are perfect to use right away.

When selecting a ripe avocado, look for an avocado that yields to firm gentle pressure so you know it’s ripe and ready-to-eat.

Ripe, ready to eat avocados may have a darker color but color can vary so it is best to go by feel as well as color.

Avocados for future meals

If you want to choose an avocado to use in a future meal, you will want to select one that is slightly underripe.

The firmness of the avocado will tell you about its state of ripeness. Make sure you don’t poke it with your fingers, but instead hold it in the palm of your hand and squeeze it gently.

If the avocado yields under pressure, it’s ripe. If it does not, it may need a few more days to ripen, which makes it perfect to use in a future meal once its ripe.

Overripe avocados

Overripe avocados do not taste great, but there are still some ways to make use of them so none goes to waste.

• Make a hair mask
• Make a face mask
• Make creamy avocado pasta sauce
• Make a smoothie
• Make avocado salad dressing

The possibilities of using those overripe avocados are endless, so make sure you think of these before throwing them away!

Avocado FAQs

Avocados Recipes to Try

• Sweet Potato Appetizer with Bacon and Avocado
• Easy Chunky Guacamole
• Bacon Avocado Grilled Cheese with Garlic Aioli