Introduction
Avocados are a delicious and nutritious addition to any meal, but waiting for them to ripen can be a frustrating experience. If you’ve ever eagerly sliced into an avocado only to find that it’s still hard and unripe, you know the feeling. Fortunately, there are several ways to ripen avocados quickly. In this article, we’ll cover some of the best methods, including using brown paper bags, a fruit bowl, the oven or microwave, aluminum foil, a clothespin, and even ripe bananas as a bonus hack.
Using Brown Paper Bags
One of the most popular methods for ripening avocados quickly is to use brown paper bags. This method works by trapping ethylene gas, which is naturally released by the avocado as it ripens.
To use this method, simply place your unripe avocados in a brown paper bag with an apple or banana (both of which produce ethylene gas) and fold over the top of the bag to close it. Leave the bag at room temperature and check your avocados daily. Depending on how ripe they were to begin with, this method can take anywhere from 1-3 days.
Using a Fruit Bowl
Another easy method for ripening avocados quickly is to use a fruit bowl. The concept is similar to using brown paper bags in that you’re harnessing the power of ethylene gas to promote ripening.
To use this method, simply place your unripe avocados in a bowl with ripe bananas, apples, or kiwis. These fruits give off the most ethylene gas and can help your avocados ripen faster. Be sure to cover the bowl with a cloth or plastic wrap to prevent moisture loss and leave it at room temperature. Depending on how ripe your avocados were to begin with, this method can take anywhere from 2-5 days.
Using the Oven or Microwave
Sometimes you might need to ripen an avocado quickly but don’t have a few days to spare. In this case, you can use your oven or microwave to speed up the process.
To use the oven method, preheat your oven to 200°F and place your unripe avocados on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes, checking frequently to make sure they don’t over-ripen. This method can soften your avocados quickly but may also affect their flavor and texture.
To use the microwave method, place your unripe avocados on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on high for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Again, check frequently to prevent over-ripening. This method is faster than the oven but also carries a higher risk of over-ripening and loss of flavor.
Using Aluminum Foil
Similar to brown paper bags, aluminum foil can also trap ethylene gas and promote ripening.
To use this method, wrap your unripe avocados in aluminum foil with an ethylene-producing fruit like apples or bananas. Leave them at room temperature and check daily. Depending on how ripe your avocados were, this method can take anywhere from 3-7 days.
Helping Avocados Ripen on the Tree
Sometimes you might want to soften an avocado that’s still on the tree. In this case, you can use a clothespin on the stem to redirect the tree’s energy to the fruit and promote ripening.
Simply clip the clothespin onto the stem of the avocado fruit. This will direct more sunlight and nutrients to the fruit, helping it ripen faster. Note that this method is only effective if the fruit is close to ripening, and should not be used on a fruit that is still green and immature.
Using Ripe Bananas (Bonus Hack)
If you have ripe bananas on hand, you can use them to ripen your avocados quickly. Simply place your unripe avocados in a sealed plastic bag with one or two ripe bananas. Leave the bag at room temperature and check daily. This method can take anywhere from 1-3 days, depending on how ripe your avocados were to begin with.
Conclusion
Whether you need ripe avocados for tonight’s dinner or simply don’t want to wait a week for them to ripen, there are several easy methods you can use to speed up the process. From brown paper bags to a fruit bowl, the oven or microwave, aluminum foil, a clothespin, and ripe bananas, these methods are tried and tested ways to ensure perfectly ripened avocados every time.
