How to Determine If an Avocado Is Ripe

Avocados don't ripen on trees.

When you're at the grocery store looking for avocados, your options may be different every time. It's important to know what stage of ripeness avocados are at, or else you might find yourself wasting your money.

Things You'll Need

• Avocados

Instructions

1. Look for avocados with no visible signs of bruising or puncture marks.

2. Often a darker color indicates that an avocado is more ripe -- however, do not pick an avocado based solely on the color.

3. Pick up the avocado and gently squeeze it. If it's the right kind of ripe it will be firm, but will give a little to pressure. It should feel slightly firmer than an orange, but not as firm as a tennis ball.

4. Don't select avocados that are very mushy, meaning they give a lot when you squeeze them. This indicates that the avocado is overripe and will likely go bad before you have a chance to eat it.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have an avocado that is firm and you cannot squeeze it, then it's not ripe. You can ripen it by placing it in a brown paper bag for a few days.

References

• Hass Avocados: How to Know When a Hass Avocado Is Ripe