In guacamole, in wraps, on toast or even in salad, avocado can be enjoyed in all forms and in all sauces. However, its shelf life is limited. When cut in half, the avocado quickly oxidizes and turns brown due to exposure to air. To make your avocado last longer, even if it has been started, here are some techniques that are as natural as they are effective.
In the refrigerator
This will probably seem obvious to you, but the first thing to do is to avoid leaving your avocado out in the open. Once opened, in contact with air, it will blacken and degrade in just a few hours. In the refrigerator, it will last at least 24 hours, because cold is an excellent way to prevent food from oxidizing and fermenting. Remember to keep the remaining half of your avocado with the pit, as this will slow down the ripening process. Otherwise, place it face down on a plate.
Lemon juice
Thanks to its powerful antioxidants, lemon is ideal for effectively slowing down the browning of avocado flesh. To preserve an open avocado, simply apply a few drops of lemon juice to its surface. Then it can be placed in the refrigerator, preferably face down on a plate or wrapped in cling film. Vinegar, another acidic liquid, offers the same benefits. A few drops of vinegar will also do the trick to prevent oxidation of the flesh.
Olive oil and coarse salt
The olive oil creates a protective barrier on the cut surface of the avocado, preventing exposure to air. The salt acts as a natural preservative by absorbing moisture from the surface of the avocado, which helps prevent decay and maintain its freshness. Apply olive oil to the top half of your avocado, sprinkle with a few grains of salt, then place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
The onion
Rich in antioxidants, onions will also slow down the oxidation process of foods, including that of avocado. Place a piece of onion next to a halved avocado in an airtight container, or cut it into thin slices and place them on the flesh of the avocado. The sulfur compounds present in the onion will prolong its freshness and its beautiful green color for a few additional days. Be careful though, the use of onion will have an impact on the taste of your avocado.
Thanks to these simple and economical tips, you will be able to keep your opened avocados fresh and reuse them in your favorite preparations.
