Mahalo natural food expert Kristina Jackson shows you how to select the best avocado.
Color
Select an avocado that is a dark green color, as dark green avocados tend to be fully ripe or on their way. There should not be any blemishes, cracking or general damage to the outside of the avocado.c
Texture and Feel
The outside of the avocado should be speckled consistently. Press the shoulder of the avocado, which is the very top of the fruit around the stem. If the shoulder is very firm, it is not ripe; if the shoulder gives slightly to the touch, that's a ripe avocado you should purchase.c
Shape
Most varieties of avocado tend to be ovular in shape. Make sure your avocado has a symmetrical shape, depending on the type of avocado it is.c
Use
If you are buying avocados for a salad, side dish or to eat plain, a firmer fruit is usually best as it will be easier to cut. For recipes like Choose Wisely!
References
Meet Our Experts
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Kristina Jackson
A graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition at Columbia University, natural food chef Kristina Jackson is a certified holistic health and lifestyle consultant. She is also the editor of the blog "The Whole Idea" which, according to Jackson, "takes us on a journey to experience all that life has to offer…naturally. Clean food, good fun and healthy, conscious living."
Expert Tip
Ripe avocados that yield to gentle pressure should be eaten within a day or two of purchase. If you are planning a future event, buy the brighter green avocados and place them in a paper bag in your pantry or cupboard. They will ripen in a couple days, ready for the recipe of your choosing!c
