Avocados present a unique storage challenge. Their post-harvest ripening nature can leave you with underripe or overripe fruits, both culinary downfalls. However, fret no more! By understanding a few key principles, you can achieve peak avocado freshness and minimise waste.

The cornerstone of successful avocado storage hinges on ripeness. Here’s a roadmap to guide you:

• Unripe Avocados: For unripe avocados, resist the urge to refrigerate. Store them at room temperature on a well-ventilated counter. Avoid plastic bags. Daily gentle pressure checks will indicate when they’re ready – a slight yield signifies perfect ripeness.

• Ripe Avocados: For perfectly ripe avocados destined for immediate use, exploit the power of the refrigerator. Store whole fruits within the crisper drawer, where the cooler temperature slows down ripening. Airtight containers offer additional protection. A ripe avocado should maintain its quality for 2-3 days under refrigeration.

• Used Avocado Halves: Don’t let leftover avocado meet its demise! Combat the dreaded browning by brushing the exposed flesh with lemon or lime juice. The acidity impedes oxidation, the culprit behind discolouration. Tightly wrap the half in plastic and place it within an airtight container in the refrigerator. This method extends the shelf life of a used avocado by half to 1-2 days.

Pro Tip: Need to expedite the ripening process for an unripe avocado? Simply place it in a paper bag with ripe apples, bananas, or pears.

By incorporating these storage techniques into your routine, you can ensure your avocados reach their peak of flavour and creamy perfection, minimising waste and maximising culinary potential.