The first thing that you should know is that fresh avocados don’t ripen on trees. They become soft or ripe after they have been harvested. In recent years, avocados have been increasingly popular. And, you are likely going to find a variety of avocado recipes at your local café.
However, it is always tricky to choose the right avocados in the store. The fresh ones are different from other varieties because of their property to change from green color to deep purple that almost appears black when ripe. So, how to choose a ripe avocado? Read on to find out more about it.
Finding The Perfect Avocado: An Overview
When you visit the local store to buy avocados for your recipes, it shouldn’t be daunting. Start by observing the skin. Keep in your mind that ripe avocados should have a dark green texture. Also, they should contain some traces of black and purple.
In addition, you can gently pinch or squeeze the avocados to know whether or not they are ripe. That way, if you find that the skin is smooth, it is certain that the avocados are ripe and ready to be consumed. However, ensure that they don’t feel too soft. It means you won’t enjoy eating them.
What Are The Different Types of Avocados That You Find Around?
Before getting into the different types of avocados, you should know how versatile they are. Whenever you are planning to follow a diet regime, avocados make a wonderful addition. You can use it to make sandwiches, bacon, pasta, and salad.
Besides, avocado toast is another popular recipe that you can have. Also, you can enjoy it with chocolate ice cream. While these are some of the many dishes that you can do with avocados, the choices are endless when it comes to preparing the recipes with freshly harvested avocados.
Another interesting aspect about avocados is that you can find over 100 different types. Although it is impossible to list them in this post, you get to know some of the popular ones.
1. Hass
Avocados that are grown in Mexico are referred to as Hass avocados. It is one of the most popular types of avocados that are readily available. Besides, it grows throughout the year. It boasts of a nutty flavor and is spherical. The skin combines a blend of dark purple and bright green when ripe.
2. Lula
These kinds of avocados peak during summertime and they contain more water compared to other kinds of avocados. While the Lula variant is highly resistant to cold, it is prone to fungus as well.
3. Choquette
These kinds of avocados have smooth, glossy, and fleshy textures. Besides, it might leak some amount of water when it is cut open. Also, you can find them easily in Florida.
4. Reed
Because these types of avocados are seasonal, it is available during the summer months. Besides, it doesn’t taste anything like a nut and has a tennis ball-like appearance. When it becomes ripe, it doesn’t change color.
5. Gwen
Both Gwen and Hass are almost alike in terms of taste and appearance. It is harvested mainly in Guatemala and is bright green. Also, it is easy to peel off.
6. Pinkerton
Because of their rough skin, the Pinkerton avocados bear a rectangular shape. However, the skin is easier to peel and when you cut these avocados, you can’t afford to miss the creamy flesh.
7. Zutano
To begin with, zutano isn’t the darkest avocados that you find around. The skin has a hint of yellow in it. While it tastes like butter, these avocados are mild both in flavor and taste.
8. Maluma
These dark-purple-colored avocados were discovered first in South Africa. The best part about Maluma is that each tree bears plenty of fruit compared to other types of avocados.
9. Sharwil
It is another variant that is widely grown in Australia. It has a green peel and yellow flesh that is pretty much rough in texture. Although sharwil has a nutty, bold flavor, it is oily and susceptible to frost.
10. Brogden
Typically, this kind is a hybrid of West Indian and Mexican avocados. It is resistant to cold and harder to peel. It has dark-purple skin.
11. Bacon
As the name suggests, bacon avocados have light-brown skin. They have an airy texture and are easy to peel their skin.
12. Fuerte
In Spanish, Fuerte means strong. So, it means that fuerte avocados come with tough skin. They are available for eight months per year and boast an oily texture like hazelnut.
13. Monroe
What makes this variant distinctive is that each fruit can weigh more than 2 pounds. The fruit has less water content and is quite firm compared to other avocados.
How Can You Tell Whether Or Not An Avocado Is Ripe?
How many times have you bought avocados at home only to find out that they are mushy and brown inside or harder to eat? Well, everyone in their lifetime has gone through this situation a few times. However, there are some easy ways to pick ripe avocados from grocery stores. Here is how to pick them effectively.
1. Look Out For The Color
When you are comparing a few avocados, check out the outside color of the skin. In general, unripe avocados have lighter skins. Besides, when they ripen, the skin turns green. Also, the skin appears black sometimes. In short, perfectly ripe avocados should have green skin alongside specks of black and purple.
2.Apply Pressure
Holding the fruit in your palm, squeeze it. However, don’t push your fingertips into it. Instead, use your palm to avoid bruising. If the fruit is ripe, it yields to lower pressure. It means, they are ripe and you can consume them. So, when you feel nothing after squeezing them, wait for another few days.
How Can You Ripen Avocados Quickly?
If you have avocados that aren’t ripe, you can make them ripe within three to four days. Here is how to speed up the process of ripening.
1. Keep Avocados In A Bowl Of Rice
Place the avocados in a bowl of uncooked rice. It will help trap ethylene gas and that will make the fruit ripe fast.
2. Use A Brown Paper Bag
Put the avocados inside a brown paper bag and leave it as it is for three to four days. Avocados release ethylene gas that helps them soften after harvesting. So, when you place them in the bag, the gas speed up the ripening process. For the next three to four days keep an eye over them. Also, you can place bananas and apples inside the bag as well.
3. Try The Oven Technique
Preheat the oven to up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Wash the avocados properly and make them dry on the kitchen counter. Place avocados inside a foil and put them in the baking tray for at least 10 minutes. Take out the tray and allow the avocados to cool for another 10 minutes.
The Best Tools That Help You Prepare Amazing Recipes Made With Avocados:
Check out these wonderful knives and a cutting board that help you prepare recipes made with avocados easily.
1.Chef’s Knife 8-inches
This multi-function chef’s knife comes in handy when you are preparing certain recipes with avocados. Whether it is about chopping, dicing, or slicing, this eight-inch knife is all you need. The high-quality carbon stainless blade has an ergonomic design that fits in your hand with ease.
Apart from that, the Pakkawood, walnut finish handle is optimized to reduce numbness, aches, and fatigue that results from continuously holding the knife. So, whenever you are planning for your next avocado recipe, don’t forget to use this knife.
2. Japanese 8-inches Chef’s Knife
Made out of high-quality German steel, it is another great chef’s knife that allows you to use it for many years. The hammer design pattern is oxidized professionally through blackening technology that prevents food from sticking onto the blades while making cuts easier.
Moreover, the ergonomically-designed handle minimizes tension in your wrists while providing a comfortable, firm grip. That way, you don’t have any trouble while working with avocados for some time.
3. Hammered Design 8-inches Chef Knife
The pakkawood handle and hammered blade design of this remarkable 8-inches chef’s knife are all you need when you are preparing avocado recipes. While it is a pretty decent knife that works great when slicing avocados effectively, you can use it in a variety of applications as well.
The ergonomic handle and ultra-sharp blade edge improve comfort while working it for longer hours. Besides, it can be the best gift for Thanksgiving, birthday, or Christmas to your loved ones.
4. Cutting Board 2-sided With Handle
Although you should have one or two knives that meet your requirement, having a cutting board is another addition to your kitchen. Also, it should have rubber edges and a rough-textured surface that avoid the items from sliding.
This 2-sided cutting board comes with a non-slip border and a non-porous surface that helps you prepare your avocados recipes with ease. So, when you cut avocados the next time on this cutting board, there won’t be a mess around your counter.
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