Much like apples, oranges and bananas, avocados have now become a staple fruit for many households. The humble fruit can be enjoyed in many different ways, whether on toast, in salads or in smoothies. And they’re relatively cheap to buy so it makes for a tasty, yet cheap, meal.
But if you don’t eat them fast enough they can quickly turn brown and mushy, and end up being thrown in the bin. Unripe avocados are usually ready to eat in around four to five days and should stay fresh for a further three days if you keep them in the fridge. If you cut into an avocado and don’t eat it in one go then the flesh will start browning within just a few hours. Cut avocados are prone to browning due to a natural enzyme called polyphenol oxidase which reacts with oxygen, but this process can be prevented with proper storage.
To avoid the fruit spoiling and going to waste, food experts say wrapping avocado in a beeswax wrap will help to keep it fresher for longer.
Beeswax wraps are made from cotton fabric that’s been coated with a mixture of beeswax, tree resin and plant oils, giving them a slightly sticky coating that helps them seal around food items.
Unlike cling film, which can trap moisture, beeswax wraps allow some air circulation which prevents condensation to help preserve the freshness of avocados.
Beeswax wraps manufacturer BajaBee explains: “Avocado is best when fresh. As soon as you cut it, it starts to brown, which doesn’t look very appealing.
“Wrap the unused half of the avocado in a beeswax wrap and store it in the refrigerator. The next day, it will look as fresh as when it was cut.”
Once your cut avocado is wrapped, food experts recommend placing it in the fridge as the cold temperature will help to keep the fruit greener and fresh for longer by inhibiting the enzymes that cause oxidation.
And after use, the wraps can be washed and reused several times before being composted, so they’re a more environmentally friendly way of keeping your fruit fresh.
High Five Wraps adds: “Beeswax wraps are an excellent choice for storing avocados. They are sustainable, reusable, and keep your avocados fresh longer.
“Perfect for those who are eco-conscious and want to reduce plastic use in the kitchen. Wrap avocados after cutting to retain its freshness and enjoy natural fruit flavour whenever you like.”
