Finding a perfectly ripe avocado in the store can be challenging: some fruits are overripe, while others are so hard that they are impossible to cut. However, as chef and recipe developer Mimi Morley claims, there is a quick way to make an avocado soft in just 10 minutes.
Sometimes it’s hard to find the perfect avocados in the store that have reached optimal ripeness. Most often, they are either overripe or so underripe that they feel like rocks. This is reported by Mirror.
"The first ones are, of course, beyond saving, and you can imagine the horrible black spots under the skin. But the latter are just wonderful. You just need to know how to ripen them best," the article notes.
In particular, chef and senior recipe developer at HelloFresh, Mimi Morley, said:
"If you’re about to make yourself tea and suddenly realize that your avocados are hard, don’t worry. There’s a 10-minute trick that will help you get a ripe avocado. This trick, known as 'artificial ripening tips,' is designed for people in a pinch. You just need to boil a kettle, fill a bowl with water, and then place the avocado, tightly wrapped in foil, into it."
At the same time, experts recommend piercing the avocado with a sharp knife before immersing it in water. You just need to make sure it is tightly wrapped so that water doesn’t get inside.
In just 10 minutes, the hard avocado will become soft, perfect for use in your favorite recipes. You can mash it or slice it.
"This trick is perfect if you need a 'ripe' avocado immediately. But if that’s not the case, it’s not recommended to use it," Mimi warned.
This is because when the avocado cools down, its texture may become a bit tough, and the flavor won’t be as nutty and delicious as that of a naturally ripened fruit. If you have a little more time, try placing the avocado in a paper bag with a banana or an apple. These fruits emit ethylene, which acts as a ripening agent, speeding up the process.
"If you can wait a day or two, put the avocado in a bag with a fruit that emits ethylene — it will significantly speed up ripening. Moreover, it won’t affect the texture or taste, as it’s a completely natural method," the expert added.
In the editorial's opinion, the quick method with hot water can indeed save the day when an avocado is needed 'here and now.' However, for better flavor and proper texture, it’s still worth opting for natural ripening using ethylene-emitting fruits.
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