Avocados have now joined the likes of apples, oranges and bananas as a staple fruit in many UK households.
The humble fruit typically costs less than £1 and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, such as on toast, in salads or smoothies, or mashed to make tasty guacamole, so it’s a pretty versatile food to have in your kitchen for a cheap meal. But where the avocado falls down is its shelf life.
If you buy an avocado when it’s unripe, it usually takes four to five days to fully ripen, and from this point, the fruit will stay fresh for two to three days in the fridge. But if you cut into an avocado and don’t eat the whole thing in one go, its shelf life reduces even further as the flesh will turn brown within just a few hours at room temperature.
Avocados that have been cut 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, helping them to stay fresher for longer.
Experts say cut or mashed avocado will stay green for at least two days when wrapped in cling film. This is because the cling film limits the fruit’s exposure to aid, which is the primary cause of the browning. So by wrapping it tightly you’re effectively giving it a protective barrier, reducing the amount of oxygen reaching the flesh.
It’s also recommended that the wrapped avocado is placed inside an airtight container and put in the fridge, as the cold temperature helps the fruit stay greener for longer by inhibiting the enzymes that cause oxidation.
Food website Food Matters explains: “If we’re trying to prevent the oxidization of the avocado, cling film is a great choice. While it’s not entirely foolproof, and the use of single-use plastic is a growing burden on the environment, it’s a quick and easy option.
“Simply wrap the avo nice and tight (and that part is key) in the cling film of your choice. If you’re looking for a more sustainable option, try a reusable beeswax wrap.
“It is important to mention that this method proves quite successful for keeping guacamole fresh for a longer time. When storing it, gently press the wrap down onto the surface of the mixture in a bowl or container to remove all of the air, and you’ll have fresh guac for days.”