How To Store Avocados Long Term

It becomes quite easy to store avocados, once you know that unripe, ripe, and overripe avocados require different temperatures. Hard avocados are those that cannot be touched and thus require to ripe.

If your avocados are green and hard, they should be left on the counter or placed in the pantry. It is recommended that they be stored in a cool dark place with the best recommended storage temperature being 68 F. The unripe avocado can therefore be stored for up to five days in such a case. For quick maturation, place avocados in a paper bag.

However, you can store them in a refrigerator which will keep them fresh for several days if the avocados are ripe. Place it in a tight food storage container or the crisper drawer if one is available. As for the overripe avocados, one may try to use them in certain recipes such as the preparation of guacamole or smoothies.

Heat can significantly affect the ripening process of avocados, influencing both the timing and quality of the fruit. The ideal temperature for the ripening of avocados ranges from approximately 70°F to 80°F. Within this range, avocados ripen properly developing desirable texture and flavor. But, in case the temperature exceeds 86°F, you may observe uneven ripening, darkening of flesh, and rubbery texture.

So, to prevent this issue, choose dark, cool places like a pantry or a drawer for storage that too with proper ventilation. You can also place them in an airtight food storage container or the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.

Avocado belongs to climacteric fruits and it releases ethylene gas which is one of the leading causes of its fast ripening. Still, the use of plastic wrap makes the avocados slightly take time to ripe as compared to those exposed to the air. These delicate fruits can oxidize and turn brown rapidly also, affecting their flavor and texture as soon as they are exposed to the air.

When covered with plastic wrap, it reduces the rate of oxidation as there is less likelihood of air passing in thus, keeping avocados fresh and green for an extended period.

Furthermore, enclosing avocados with plastic wrap ensures that the moisture surrounding the avocado is retained hence eliminating chances of the avocado getting dry. This is the main reason why using plastic wrap retains the freshness of the fruit for a longer time.

Placing avocados with onions can be very helpful when talking about extending their shelf life. Onions contain sulfur compounds that can help prevent the browning of cut avocados. When a cut avocado is stored with an onion, the sulfur compounds present in it prevent the enzymatic reaction that leads to oxidation thus, preserving the quality of fruit for a prolonged period.

Cut avocados can be stored in an airtight container and putting a piece of onion in it will help in its preservation in the refrigerator. This method can help maintain the fresh look of the avocado for several days by minimizing its contact with oxygen. This basic storage technique can add value to your avocado consumption since the fruits are ripened and well-presented for consumption.

Lemon juice can work as an effective way of preserving avocados and enhancing their shelf life. The citric acid content present in lemon juice prevents the formation of enzymes which turn the cut avocados brown. This discoloration is a result of an enzyme known as polyphenol oxidase (PPO) that oxidizes with oxygen in the air and forms brown pigments.

The formation of a barrier that reduces the rate of the chemical reaction occurs when lemon juice is used to cover the cut fruit and this helps retain the greenish color of avocados for several days. Placing the avocado at the center of protection methods such as using a plastic wrap or covering it with an airtight container after applying lemon juice will give excellent results.

Some people recommend submerging ripe avocados in water and putting them in the refrigerator as this helps reduce oxidation and keep the ripened fruits well for 7 to 10 days. While placing avocados immersed in water has been recommended as a tool for retarding oxidization and thus enhancing their freshness, it poses serious health risks.

In its report, the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said that when avocados are soaked in water, it becomes hospitable for several bacteria to grow. These pathogens are usually on the skin of the avocado and if submerged will penetrate the flesh and cause foodborne illness.

The following methods can help freeze avocados for long-term storage effectively and allow you to enjoy their creamy texture and rich flavor.

Freezing Avocado Puree

This method seems to work well to sustain the optimal quality of avocados while in the frozen state. It is most effective when used within 4 to 6 months.

The ripe avocado should be scooped out of its shell by cutting through the flesh right through to the skin, along the middle and then twisting the two halves in opposite directions. Add 1 tablespoon of lemon or lime juice per avocado to prevent browning. Mash the avocado or blend it and put the puree into an ice cube tray for convenience.

Remember to cover it lightly and put it into the freezer till it turns firm. After freezing, transfer them to a resealable freezer or an airtight container.

Freezing Sliced Avocados

This is preferable if you want avocado pieces that can be eaten instantly, although it may not suit many people. 

First of all, cut the avocado in half, get rid of the pit and chop or cut the avocado into large pieces. Drizzle 1-2 teaspoons of lemon juice over the avocado slices so they won’t turn brown and put them in a layer on a baking sheet. Quick freeze them until they get very hard and keep them in a freezer bag, making sure that you expel all the air that you possibly can into the bag.

Freezing Whole Avocados

This is the most basic way to freeze avocado but it will change the texture of the fruit.

To proceed with this process, firstly, it is necessary to make sure that the avocado is ripe to the maximum. If it meets the first condition, then you can directly put the whole avocado in the freezer while it still has the skin intact. When it is ready for use, wash it under water and then leave to thaw at room temperature for about an hour or more in the refrigerator.

However, this method may lead to some color change and softness when the food is defrosted, which makes it suitable for certain recipes.

Another way of storing avocados is by making pickles since they can be stored in a refrigerator for about one week. The pickling is recommended when the avocado is still hard, nearly ripe though.

For the avocado pickles, bring a solution of one part water to one part vinegar with salt, sugar and whole spices such as pepper or coriander. Add to a boil, stir to dissolve the salt and sugar, and allow the mixture to cool. Halve and slice the firm-ripe avocados and take out the peel and the pit. Pour over and give a top-up with the vinegar mixture.

Best when allowed to chill for at least a couple of hours, even better if allowed to rest in the refrigerator for more than a day.

Making avocado oil is among the best and most effective methods of handling over-ripened avocados. The preparation of the oil is quite simple for which one has to blend all overripe avocados with a small quantity of olive oil. Filter the mixture, and you get your homemade avocado oil. This oil has a high smoke point, which is great for grilling, frying, searing, etc.

The golden green nutrient made from the buttery pulp of the avocado fruit is not just an exotic culinary oil. It is a health promoting food, a beauty supplement and an ideal food companion. It has a very delicate flavor with notes of butter that makes it versatile and allow using it in many dishes, including salads, pasta, dips and sauces.

If you are fond of this majestic fruit, you can also consider planting the avocado tree in your surrounding/garden.

Avocados are creamy green fruits with a buttery texture and nutty taste that runs well in both sweet and savory dishes alongside providing several health benefits. Here are some avocado recipes:

• Avocado toast is a favorite of many individuals despite being simple to prepare. It is merely mashed ripe avocado served on toast and sprinkled with salt.
• Often described as a healthy breakfast drink, creamy avocado smoothie simply involves mixing ripe avocado with your preferred type of milk, a banana, and a few spinach leaves.
• Dicing cubes of avocados along with fresh tomatoes, red onion, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar gives you a delicious and healthy summer salad.

There are so many other dishes that can be prepared using avocado. It is a food high in protein that one has to take for and has no cholesterol, sugar, and sodium.