How to keep an avocado fresh after single use


By: Judy Davie - The Food Coach

Avocado production has increased by over 60% and the industry's goal 4 years ago was to increase avocado consumption from 3.5kg to 5 kg a year.

It's a goal in which if achieved we all win: The producers get wealthier and we get healthier.
There's only one reason that I can think of why some people don't buy avocados, unless they don't like them and it's this. For those on their own, catering for one, it's hard to prevent them from going brown once they are cut into.

It's a legitimate reason given that the general guide to how much avocado an average person should eat in a day is 50 g. That's about a 1/3 of a small or a 1/4 of a large avocado and a whole avocado is used when you are catering to a family of three of four. If you're on your own, a whole avocado needs to last three days.

Unless there's a way of storing them to prevent them from becoming brown and slimy, a single person is likely to throw out more than they can eat.

Rule One
Buy small avocadoes, the smaller the better. Ideal if they are small enough to eat half one day and the other half the day after.

Rule Two
Once cut, keep the stone inside the unused part.

EITHER
Brush a thin layer of olive oil over the surface of the avocado to create a natural barrier against oxidation.

OR
Rub lemon or lime juice over the unused piece of avocado

AND
Wrap the cut avocado and the stone tightly in plastic wrap or beeswax food wraps

A BETTER WAY POSSIBLY?
Another method, which many people swear by, is to store the cut avocado in a container with a chopped onion. Onions contain sulphur which prevents the enzyme, polyphenol oxidase, interacting with oxygen and turning the avocado brown. Simply place some onion chunks in a plastic container. Place the avocado with its stone face up in the container and cover with a lid. This method should keep the avocado fresh for up to 3 days.

And if you are wondering whether you could be bothered to go to such trouble, here is a reminder about why we should ALL be eating more avocadoes.

The wide range of nutrients makes avocado an excellent plant based whole food, and an important addition to a healthy diet. Avocado eaters consume significantly more of several key nutrients including dietary fibre, vitamin E vitamin K, potassium and magnesium.

Avocado helps to lower cholesterol
The addition of 75-300 g of avocado to a variety of healthy diets has been shown to lower total and LDL cholesterol while maintaining HDL cholesterol

Avocado protects against heart disease
The nutrients found in avocado include vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids, and polyphenols. These compounds have antioxidant effects which help to protect cells from free radical damage. These compounds also have anti-inflammatory effects that may help prevent atheroschlerosis or the thickening and hardening of arteries associated with heart disease.


Avocados and eye health

Research has revealed that adding 75 g - 150 g of monounsaturated fat-rich avocados helps to significantly increase the absorption of carotenoids from other vegetables and aids in their conversion to vitamin A, a nutrient essential for healthy eyes.
Avocados and weight management

Initial studies indicate a role for 75 - 200 g of avocado a day in promoting satiety and as an alternative to other dietary fats in energy-restricted diets. People who eat avocado may weigh less, have a lower BMI and waist circumference.

Avocados and diabetes

For people with type 2 diabetes, consuming avocado as part of a healthy diet may help manage blood glucose levels as well as lower cholesterol and triglycerides without compromising blood glucose control.

Avocado and pregnancy

Avocados also are an important dietary source of folate, which is essential during pregnancy for healthy foetal development.

If you have another great way to preserve avocados please let us know by adding your comments at the foot of this article.

Comments

Bill
Nov 1 2018 1:19PM
Thanks Judy, I've always worried about this and so your article is of a great help.
Comment by: Bill
Jim
Nov 2 2018 2:01PM
We have a 'bacon' variety tree suitable for our inland frosty climate. It has been producing for about 10 years with production ranging from zero, like it will be for next year due to the drought and untimely frost, up to 200 like it was this past season. We give some away, but mostly eat them as they become ready over the 3 month period from late May to most of August.
You could call it a glut but I did eat at least one larger one per day on numerous days but one day when we picked about 2 buckets full we decided to try freezing them. We sliced them across about 10mm thick and placed them in a zip lock bag in the freezer.
Now 3 months later they are a refreshing 'ice' snack to eat a couple of slices fresh out of the freezer on these hot days.
Comment by: Jim

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Jim on How to keep an avocado fresh after single use :
We have a 'bacon' variety tree suitable for our inland ... »
Bill on How to keep an avocado fresh after single use :
Thanks Judy, I've always worried about this and so your... »
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