How to ripen an avocado

Avocados are some of the most delicious and popular tropical foods. Aside from its incredible flavor, avocados are flexible, lending themselves to all sorts of meals. They're also packed with healthy fats, making them a great addition to all kinds of diets. 

While delicious, finding a ripe avocado can be a difficult task. We often purchase them and have to wait a couple of days before we're ready to use them. Ripe avocados should have a dark and shiny-looking shell, while also giving in to your thumb when you press on them. Here's what you can do to speed the ripening process along.

5 tips to quickly ripen an avocado

Newspaper

Wrapping your avocado in newspaper is an old trick that can save you some time. The paper speeds the process along by preventing the avocado from receiving air and sunlight. In a few days, this process will help your avocado ripen, especially if you wrap them alongside a plantain or an apple.

Tinfoil

You can do a similar thing with tinfoil or any sort of paper that provides a thorough coverage, just be sure to eliminate any gaps in the wrapping. You can also wrap the avocado alongside a ripe tomato, pushing the process along. 

Put them in your oven

If you need to use an avocado now, your oven might be your best choice. Make small cuts in the skin of the avocado, avoiding cutting too deeply. Place the fruit in the oven for 10 minutes at 150 - 160 degrees Celcius. 

Once they're out of the oven, let them rest for five minutes, and introduce them to the fridge.

Use your microwave

Your microwave can also solve your problems in a pinch, even though it may alter the avocado's texture and flavor. Still, this hack works when using avocados for dishes like guacamole and smoothies, or as a baking agent. 

Poke your avocado with a fork multiple times, placing it on a plate and covering it before introducing it in the microwave. Heat for 30 to 60 seconds depending on how hard it is, and eat once the fruit is cool.

Cover them in flour

Lastly, fill a container with flour and bury your avocado underneath. This will produce ethylene, a maturating gas that will speed up the ripening process.

5 health benefits of avocados

Avocados are an incredibly healthy food that should be consumed in moderation due to their high-calorie content. When eaten correctly, it can provide a bevy of health benefits. 

• Avocados are high in fiber and vitamins, including C, E, and K. They can help you produce healthy red blood cells and regulate your blood pressure and blood sugar levels. 
• Avocados can lower your LDL cholesterol and raise your HDL cholesterol, also known as your "good" cholesterol. 
• Studies have found links between avocados and better brain and eye functioning thanks to their lutein, a vitamin that's been linked with various health benefits. 
• Since avocados are high in fiber, they can improve your gut health. They contain about 14 grams of fiber per avocado. 
• It's easy to eat. Since avocados are so versatile, they can be added to any kind of diet, whether you include them in a salad, over some toast, with your morning eggs, and more.