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YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

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How to soften an avocado instantly for your smashed avo on toast

How to soften an avocado instantly for your smashed avo on toast

One mum has revealed her simple trick for ripening avocados in only 10 minutes

One mum has revealed her simple trick for ripening avocados in only 10 minutes

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How to grow avocado tree from its seed

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How to grow an avocado tree

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How to pick the perfect avocado from the grocer

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6 simple summer entertaining tips

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5 avocado alternatives you need to try

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8 things you never knew about avocados

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The great avocado debate

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This ingenious hack will stop your avocado going brown

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You can now buy avo on toast and rosé Christmas decorations

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Your favourite brunch food may be ruining your sleep

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Giant avocados (aka avozillas) hit supermarket shelves

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Avocado beer is a thing

  1. Home
  2. Food

How to tell when an avocado is ripe

No nasty surprises - get it right every time. - by Rebecca Lowrey Boyd
  • 02 Apr 2019
How to tell when an avocado is ripe
Getty

If there’s one thing that Australians are passionate about it’s the humble avocado. When we’re not smashing them and spreading them on toast, we like to furiously debate about them.  

So there are few things we dislike more than an unripe avocado.

So how do you know when an avocado is ready to eat?

According to the experts at Australian Avocados, it all comes down to the type of avocado.

The two main varieties of avocados grown in Australia are Hass and Shepard. Hass avocados have rough, pebbly skin and change colour from green to black as they ripen. They are in season from May through to January.

Avocados

Shepard (left) and Hass (right) avocados

Getty

Shepard avocados are longer and more elongated than Hass and stay green through the ripening process. They are in season from February through to May.

If you have a Hass avocado, you need to give it a gentle squeeze at the stem end. If it’s soft and purple/black, it’s ready to eat. And you can keep it ripe for up to two days in the fridge.

However, if it’s firm and green/black, leave it on the benchtop to ripen. It will be ready in 1 to 2 days.

And if it’s hard and olive green, you’ll need to leave it for 2 to 3 days.

It’s a little trickier to tell when a Shepard avocado is ripe as they stay bright green all the time. The trick is all in the touch.

Hand holding avocado
Getty

If it’s soft and bright green, you can eat it now.

However, if it’s firm and bright green, it will be ready in 1 to 2 days.

And you’ll need to leave it for 2 to 3 days if it’s hard and bright green.

In a hurry and can’t wait a couple of days? Here’s how to soften your avocado in no time.

You might also like:

This ingenious hack will stop your avocado going brown

This genius new gadget will keep your leftover avocado fresh

Smoked salmon and avocado roulade

  • Food
  • Vegetarian Recipes
Rebecca Lowrey Boyd
Rebecca is the Digital Managing Editor of Better Homes and Gardens.

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YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

How to soften an avocado instantly for your smashed avo on toast

How to soften an avocado instantly for your smashed avo on toast

One mum has revealed her simple trick for ripening avocados in only 10 minutes

One mum has revealed her simple trick for ripening avocados in only 10 minutes

How to grow avocado tree from its seed

How to grow avocado tree from its seed

How to grow an avocado tree

How to grow an avocado tree

{headline}

{headline}

How to pick the perfect avocado from the grocer

How to pick the perfect avocado from the grocer

6 simple summer entertaining tips

6 simple summer entertaining tips

5 avocado alternatives you need to try

5 avocado alternatives you need to try

{headline}

{headline}

8 things you never knew about avocados

8 things you never knew about avocados

The great avocado debate

The great avocado debate

This ingenious hack will stop your avocado going brown

This ingenious hack will stop your avocado going brown

You can now buy avo on toast and rosé Christmas decorations

You can now buy avo on toast and rosé Christmas decorations

Your favourite brunch food may be ruining your sleep

Your favourite brunch food may be ruining your sleep

Giant avocados (aka avozillas) hit supermarket shelves

Giant avocados (aka avozillas) hit supermarket shelves

Avocado beer is a thing

Avocado beer is a thing

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