How to know if an avocado is overripe (2024)

FAQs

How to know if an avocado is overripe? ›

Avocado skin that has dimples, is wrinkly, and feels mushy or soft is often another sign that the fruit is overripe. If you cut into the avocado and discover that it's brown on the inside or tastes bitter, it may have gone bad. While eating overripe avocados is safe, you should never eat a rotten avocado.

Avocado skin that has dimples, is wrinkly, and feels mushy or soft is often another sign that the fruit is overripe. If you cut into the avocado and discover that it's brown on the inside or tastes bitter, it may have gone bad. While eating overripe avocados is safe, you should never eat a rotten avocado.

You can safely eat an avocado or guacamole that has turned brown due to oxidation, just as you could eat an apple that has undergone the same chemical reaction. However, it certainly doesn't look as appetizing when presented on a plate, and the taste may be slightly altered (read: a tad bitter).

You generally have a few days until an avocado goes off. If you're wondering, “what does avocado taste like when overripe” here's your answer: It may have a sour, chemical-like flavor. You'll also notice a rancid or musky scent. AVO HACK: If you think that your avocados have gone bad, it's best not to eat them.

Once ripe, refrigerate to slow down the ripening process and extend shelf life. Ripe, uncut avocados can be safely stored in the fridge for up to a week.

A ripe avocado typically has smooth, taut skin with a slightly bumpy or pebbled texture. However, when an avocado becomes overripe, the skin may develop wrinkles, shrivel, or appear excessively dimpled or excessively dark, especially near the stem. These are telltale signs of an avocado that has seen better days.

The shell turns dark black

If the skin is gradually turning a dark brown to black, this is an effective sign that the avocado may have gone bad inside and is no longer edible.

While avocado toast offers many potential health benefits, it may not be the best choice for everyone. First, avocado toast lacks a significant source of protein, which is an important part of a balanced meal. But that's easily rectified by topping it with an egg, smoked salmon, tempeh “bacon,” or beans.

Eating a bad avocado might leave you with a disappointing taste, but it's unlikely to cause any serious harm. You might experience some digestive discomfort like an upset stomach or bloating, but it's usually temporary. It's always best to check for ripeness before digging in!

Until they're fully ripe, avocados should be stored at room temperature. Placing an unripe avocado in the refrigerator will slow the ripening process, but the same concept applies to ripe avocados: put them in the refrigerator to keep them at their prime ripeness for longer.

Are overripe avocados safe to eat? ›

It feels soft and mushy

If you can see a dent where you squeezed, this avocado is past its best. A slight indent may indicate that it is overripe but still edible, but big dents, or feeling the fruit crush inside the skin means it won't be good to eat.

The good news? It's still totally fine to eat. The taste of a browning avocado will be similar to when the fruit retained its vibrant green, but it may be a little bitter.

If the avocado yields to firm gentle pressure you know it's ripe and ready-to-eat. Ripe, ready to eat avocados may have a darker color but color can vary so it is best to go by feel as well as color. It will feel lightly soft but it will not feel “mushy” to the touch. Ripe fruit is perfect for that day.

“Technically you can eat underripe avocado, but the only time I suggest doing this is when it's ripe enough to at least scoop out some of the flesh with a spoon. In this case, I suggest mashing the underripe avocado in with flesh from a ripe avocado,” said Ruth.