STo make sure you’re picking the best avocado, start by assessing the firmness of the fruit. “Hold the avocado in the palm of your hand and gently squeeze it,” nutritionist Iara Rodriguez advises in an Instagram post . “A ripe avocado will be soft—not mushy—and can be deformed with light pressure.” If it doesn’t, it’s a sign it still needs a few days to ripen.
Read also: The type of cheese that helps you gain muscle when you want to lose weight
Next, pay attention to the stem. “If it’s still attached to the fruit, pull it off. But if it resists, the avocado isn’t ripe yet.” On the other hand, if the stem comes off easily and reveals a light green base, it’s ready to eat. If it has a yellow-green base, you should wait another day. If it has a brown or dark green base, it could mean the fruit is past its prime.
As for appearance, Iara Rodriguez recommends “avocados with intact skin, no dark spots, brown spots, and no bruising.” “Avocados with shiny skin are not ripe yet.”
Read also: Flavorful foods that you should urgently include in your diet