Fresh avocados
There are just some times when you can’t finish a whole avocado. But storing it opens up the chances of your delicious fruit turning brown. Why is that? Well, there is an enzyme in avocado that causes it to oxidize when it’s exposed to air, causing it to turn brown rather quickly. To keep it from turning colored, there are many different methods to protecting your avocado.
Lemon or Lime Juice
Citric acid is an antioxidant that really helps slow down the browning process. Simply squeeze a small amount of fresh juice onto your avocado to protect the exposed flesh from turning brown. This also works well for guacamole.
Oil
Thick and spreadable, oil makes a great barrier for protecting your fruit from oxygen. Brush a thin layer of olive or vegetable oil onto the open surface of an avocado to prevent it from turning brown. While this method works great for preserving avocado that has been cut, unfortunately it does not work well for guacamole.
Plastic Wrap
Often used to cover food and prevent spoilage, plastic wrap also works well for avocado. To protect your cut avocado, simply wrap your left over fruit as tightly as possible making sure that all exposed surfaces are covered. Plastic wrap can also be used for guacamole. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and make sure the plastic is pressed down onto the surface of the guacamole to take out any air.
Red Onions
Red onions can also be used to keep your avocado from turning brown. Cut your onions into large chunks, and place them into the same container as your avocado. You can also use these veggies to preserve guacamole by sprinkling them on top. The onions release a gas that will help prevent oxidation. For whole avocado, make sure that the onions are only touching the skin. If it touches the flesh, it may alter the taste of your avocado.
There are some times when a whole avocado is just too much. But storing it for even a couple of days causes the flesh to turn brown and unsightly. Use any of these tips to help slow the browning process so that you can enjoy the rest of your avocado longer.