How to Tell if an Avocado Is Ripe by Its Color

Decide if an avocado is ripe by its color.

Avocados are an important part of a healthy diet, as they provide monounsaturated fat and Vitamin E, among other nutrients. When shopping in the produce section, it is important to know what to look for to judge ripeness in avocados. Color can be used to judge the ripeness, but it is important for you to know which type of avocado you are buying, as some types might have different coloring when ripe.

Instructions

1. Pick an avocado. Look at the color all over the fruit, which could be green, dark green, brown or purple-black. Turn the avocado around to further inspect it.

2. Find a sign by the avocado fruit which lists the name of the avocado you are looking at, as this could make a difference in the color of the avocado when ripe.

3. Analyze the ripeness of the avocado using the color. A Hass avocado is green when unripe, and will turn purple-black or dark green when ripe. Bacon, Fuerte, Reed and Zutano avocados are green when ripe.

Tips & Warnings

• Apply gentle pressure to the avocado to further judge its ripeness --- ripe avocado will be firm but lightly yield to the pressure.

References

• Calavo: Avocado Information
• California Avocado Commission: How to Choose and Use
• Calavo: Avocado Nutrition