Have you ever bought an avocado to get it home, cut it open and it has brown spots? That can be so frustrating. 
Here is how to avoid it. These tips are based on purchasing a Hass avocado.
How to determine if an avocado is ripe?
- Gently press and it should be slightly soft.
- If there is uneven softness, the avocado is likely bruised. Select a different one.
- It has been suggested that you can remove the stem and see if it is green underneath it. If you see brown, it will be brown on the inside (overripe). We have not tested this theory.
What if you can only find avocados that are hard? That means it is not yet ripe. There are simple ways to ripen it.
- Leave it on the counter for several days
- Place it in a paper bag with a banana, apple, or another avocado. These fruits release additional ethylene gas, which speeds up the ripening process.
Did you know that there are 4 stages to every Hass avocado?
1-Firm 2-Breaking 3-Ripe 4-Overripe
Can you refrigerate your avocado? Do not try to ripen a firm avocado in the refrigerator. If the avocado begins to show signs of ripening (breaking stage) you can place it in the refrigerator to slow the process.
Do you have any tips for selecting an avocado? Please share with us!
