How to Tell If an Avocado Is Still Good or Has Gone Bad

Avocados won't fully ripen while still on the tree, but once they are picked, they tend to ripen quickly.

Once ripe, if you don't eat them within a short time, they will spoil within just a few days.

Sometimes, though, it can be hard to tell for sure whether an avocado has gone bad or is still good to eat. In situations like this, make sure to read through the tips below carefully so you don't accidentally eat a spoiled one.

Step (1)

Check the outer skin of the avocado. If there is visible mold on the skin, or if it gives off a sour smell, the avocado is no longer suitable for eating.

Step (2)

Look at the color. Since every avocado variety has its own range of colors, first check what type of avocado you've bought.

Step (3)

Hold the avocado in your hand and gently squeeze it. If the avocado is ripe, it will yield slightly with a gentle squeeze. But if a gentle squeeze causes it to sink in deeply, then the avocado is no longer good.

Step (4)

If you want to know whether an avocado is ripe, you can also use its stem. If you remove the stem and it comes off easily, this tells you the avocado is ripe, and you'll also be able to see the color of the flesh underneath.

Step (5)

The fastest way to check if an avocado has gone bad is to cut it in half. If the avocado is still good, the flesh should have a light green color. If instead the color is dark and murky, you should definitely throw it away.

Step (6)

Even after cutting it in half, if you still can't tell clearly from the color of the flesh, the last thing you can do is taste it. Avoid the brownish, discolored areas and take a small piece of flesh from where it's still green, then taste it. It should have a soft, slightly sweet flavor. If it tastes strange or off in any way, spit it out immediately.

How to store it so it doesn't over-ripen

If you've bought avocados but aren't going to eat them right away, store them in the refrigerator so they don't over-ripen. If you store a whole, uncut ripe avocado in the refrigerator, it can keep for at least 20 days.

Credit: wikihow.com