Picking the perfect avocado is like picking the right car. You can’t just pick the first one; you’ve got to test them all. Feel them. Hold them. You’ve got to make sure the one you’re taking home isn’t a lemon. (Pun absolutely intended with this one.) It’s not rocket science, but there are a few things you should look for when choosing the best avocados for your recipes. Here are my favorite tips for picking the right avocados at the grocery store.
1. Darker green flesh
Depending on where you live, the color of the avocados near you can change drastically. Take care to search for avocados that are a darker green in color. Avocados that are a light and vibrant green aren’t quite ripe and need more time to mature. (Don’t worry, there are tips to speeding up the ripening process at home if you pick an immature avocado!)
2. The avocado should yield to pressure
Be sure to give the avocado a good squeeze in the palm of your hand. It should just slightly yield to gentle pressure. An avocado that feels like a rock isn’t ripe and will not only be too tough to serve and eat, but it will also taste less-than-great. Avoid avocados that feel too mushy when you lightly squeeze. These are too ripe and won’t last long.
3. Avoid blemishes
Unless your greengrocer has stated that blemishes are due to an agricultural glitch (in which case, all the avocados will be affected and the fruit itself is absolutely fine), try to select avos with unblemished skin.
Here’s what to do with your lovely avocados:
Images: Lexy Ward
