Whether making breakfast, lunch or dinner, avocados are a popular fruit choice in the UK.
They are packed with healthy fats and fibre, but Britons must be quick to eat them before they turn brown.
Knowing how to store them properly can extend their shelf life, by as much as two weeks, according to one expert.
According to Charles Haverfield, packaging executive at US Packaging and Wrapping, how long the fruit will last first depends on what state it is purchased in.
The expert said: “Naturally, buying an unripe avocado will last you longer – if your avocado is still bright green, it will need around a week to ripen before you can eat it.
“A fully ripe, uncut avocado can last up to two weeks after buying if stored correctly.
“To slow down the ripening process and prevent your avocado from becoming a mushy brown mess, pop it in the fridge which will help keep it firmer and fresher for longer.”
It is best to keep the fruit whole for as long as possible, similar to other fruits such as bananas and apples.
This is because they contain an enzyme in the fruit which causes it to oxidise and turn brown.
The pro noted: “Keeping your avocado in a warm, sunny spot will help the ripening process go quicker. Be sure to keep testing the avocado’s firmness to prevent it from overripening.
“You can also try keeping avocados in a fruit bowl with other fruits that release the ripening gas ethylene, such as bananas and apples.”
When it comes to the best way to store the fruit, it depends on how ripe they are and how soon you want to eat them.
If you have a ripe fruit which you wish to eat in the next few days, leave it out on your countertop away from bright light or any warmth.
The fridge is also a good storage method if you’re looking to keep it fresh for a long period of time.
If you’re storing a cut avocado, squeeze lemon juice onto it to help preserve it for longer.
