Avocados are a popular fruit that may be found in a variety of cuisines, both sweet and savory. They’re also a popular toast and sandwich topping. While avocados are tasty, they may be challenging to deal with due to their tendency to turn brown when sliced open.
Avocados are native to Mexico and are high in healthful fats, fiber, and vitamins. Avocados contain an enzyme called polyphenol oxidase (PPO) [1, 2], which causes them to brown when exposed to oxygen.
Restaurants use a variety of methods to prevent avocados from becoming brown. Continue reading to find out how!
Contents
- Why Do Avocados Turn Brown?
- Solutions for Keeping Avocados Fresh
- Will avocados ripen after being refrigerated?
- How long do avocados last on the counter?
- Does onion keep avocado fresh?
- Can avocados be stored in water?
- Can avocados be vacuum sealed?
- How To Tell When an Avocado is No Longer Safe to Eat
- Conclusion
- FAQs
- How do you store cut avocado without it turning brown?
- How do you keep guacamole fresh on a buffet?
- Does olive oil stop avocado going brown?
- How long can avocado sit out before turning brown?
- Is avocado OK to eat after it turns brown?
- Does Saran Wrap stop guacamole from turning brown?
- How does Chipotle keep their guacamole from turning brown?
- How do Mexican restaurants keep their guacamole from turning brown?
- Does lemon juice stop avocado going brown?
Why Do Avocados Turn Brown?
Avocados become brown due to a chemical reaction that occurs when they are exposed to air. This process is triggered by polyphenol oxidase (PPO), an enzyme present in avocado flesh. When PPO reacts with oxygen, a chemical process occurs that produces melanin, the pigment that gives avocados their brown color.
This chemical reaction may occur fast, which is why it is important to take precautions to avoid it if you want to keep your avocados looking fresh.
Solutions for Keeping Avocados Fresh
Here are a few alternative techniques for keeping your avocados from turning brown:
- Store them in an airtight container: Keeping avocados in an airtight container is one approach to keep them from turning brown. This will keep oxygen away from the fruit and keep the PPO enzyme from getting into touch with it.
- Wrap them securely in plastic wrap: Wrapping avocados tightly in plastic wrap is another technique to protect them from turning brown. This will also keep oxygen away from the fruit, preventing the PPO enzyme from coming into touch with it.
- Treat them with lemon juice or vinegar: Lemon juice or vinegar may also be used to protect avocados from becoming brown. This is due to the presence of acids in both of these liquids, which may aid in the inhibition of the PPO enzyme.
- Refrigerate them: Another approach to keep avocados fresh is to keep them in the refrigerator. This will slow down the PPO enzyme and keep the avocados from browning as soon.
- Eat them as soon as possible: Of course, the best approach to protect avocados from turning brown is to eat them as soon as possible! You won’t have to worry about them becoming brown in the first place this way.
These are just a few methods for preventing avocados from becoming brown. Try a couple of these approaches to find which one works best for you.
Will avocados ripen after being refrigerated?
Avocados ripen quicker at room temperature, but you may keep them in the fridge to extend their shelf life. Just be sure to consume them within a week or two after putting them in the fridge, as they will turn brown if left in the fridge for too long.
How long do avocados last on the counter?
Avocados will keep on the counter for approximately 2-3 days. They will then begin to turn brown. You may keep them in the fridge to make them last longer. Just be sure to consume them within a week or two after putting them in the fridge, as they will turn brown if left in the fridge for too long.
Does onion keep avocado fresh?
Avocado is not kept fresh by onion. In fact, it may hasten the browning of the avocado. This is because onion contains sulfur, which may hasten the natural browning of avocados. It is better to avoid keeping avocados with onion if you want to keep them fresh.
Can avocados be stored in water?
Avocados should not be kept in water. This is due to the fact that water may cause the avocado to brown quicker. Water may also cause the avocado to soften. It is preferable to avoid keeping avocados in water if you want to keep them fresh.
Can avocados be vacuum sealed?
Avocados can, in fact, be vacuum sealed. This is an excellent technique to keep them fresh for an extended amount of time. Just be careful to consume them within a week after sealing them, as they will turn brown if left sealed for too long.
How To Tell When an Avocado is No Longer Safe to Eat
When avocados become brown, they are no longer safe to consume. If you see any browning on the exterior of the avocado, toss it. Although browning on the interior of an avocado is typically an indication that it is overripe and not necessarily a negative thing, it is still advised to avoid eating avocados that are browning on the inside.
When in doubt, err on the side of caution and discard any avocados that you are unsure about. When it comes to food safety, it is always better to be safe than sorry.
Conclusion
There are many methods for preventing avocados from becoming brown. Try a couple of these approaches to find which one works best for you. Just be careful to consume them within a week or two after keeping them, as they will turn brown if left for too long.
Reference:
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27172067/
FAQs
How do you store cut avocado without it turning brown?
Fill a glass or plastic container halfway with water and cut your avocado in half. Place the avocado in the container, flesh side down, cover, and refrigerate. This will prevent the avocado from browning for another two days.
How do you keep guacamole fresh on a buffet?
Pour lime juice over the guacamole to create an airtight barrier. To avoid air pockets, cover the dish with plastic wrap, placing it flush with the guacamole, or place the guacamole in a sealed container.To make a smooth surface, pat the guacamole down. Pour a thin but noticeable coating of water or lemon juice.
Does olive oil stop avocado going brown?
Brushing an avocado half with olive oil is supposed to limit contact with air and so prevent oxidation. This procedure worked well for us, with just little browning around the edges and the most of the internal flesh maintaining a brilliant green.
How long can avocado sit out before turning brown?
Avocados are now ready to be peeled or chopped and utilized in your favorite recipes. They may also be kept uncut for future use. Once chopped, it will take many hours—at least four hours—for the avocado to become brown.
Is avocado OK to eat after it turns brown?
You can consume an avocado or guacamole that has become brown due to oxidation in the same way that you can eat an apple that has experienced the same chemical process. However, it may not look as appealing when put on a dish, and the flavor may be somewhat changed (read: a little bitter).
Does Saran Wrap stop guacamole from turning brown?
To avoid browning, press a piece of plastic wrap closely on the surface of the guacamole. This approach is supposed to work successfully because the plastic wrap forms a firmly sealed barrier on top of the guacamole, keeping oxygen out.
How does Chipotle keep their guacamole from turning brown?
“Each panned guac gets airtight sealed with Saran Wrap,” he said. “It is then lidded, labeled, and stored for future use.” “This process maintains freshness and prevents browning,” he said.
How do Mexican restaurants keep their guacamole from turning brown?
Onions include sulfur molecules that prevent guacamole from browning. Simply top the guacamole with onion and wrap in plastic wrap.
Does lemon juice stop avocado going brown?
The first technique is to squeeze lemon juice on the avocado’s exposed surface. Because it contains ascorbic acid, citric acid prevents fruit from browning. Before the avocado itself, the oxygen interacts with the ascorbic acid. Citrus juice is a natural preservative as well!