Updated: Jan. 31, 2024
Find out if green flesh is the only way to go or if a little discoloration can be ignored.
Do you have a tough time catching the exact moment at which an avocado is perfectly ripe? The struggle is real, as this finicky fruit seems to have an especially short window of readiness. If you cut open an avocado too soon, it can be hard and flavorless; too late and you could end up with unappealing dark spots and a mushy texture.
But can you eat brown avocado? Or should you toss it in the trash and vow to be better about checking for ripeness next time?
Why Do Avocados Turn Brown?
There are three main reasons why an avocado turns brown. The first is that it’s been bruised by people squeezing it or it had a rough ride during transit, and now those spots are brown from the trauma.
The second is that the avocado has gone bad. The overripe fruit develops brown or black spots throughout its flesh when it’s spoiled. This is usually accompanied by black skin, dark and stringy flesh and a rancid odor and/or flavor.
The third reason an avocado may have brown spots is that it was cut open, and its exposed enzymes have reacted with oxygen—this oxidation turns the flesh of the avocado brown.
Also, check how to store an avocado to keep it fresh for a long.
Can You Eat Brown 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).
If, as you cut into an avocado, you discover the inside flesh has brown spots, cut these areas off, and eat around them. Finally, if the browning begins at the stem and is spread throughout, this is a sign that the avocado is moldy, and it should be discarded.
This creamy, green fruit is good in more than guac! Follow our best avocado recipes for pasta, sandwiches, scrambled eggs, and more.
How to Help Prevent an Avocado from Browning
There’s no need to force yourself to eat a full avocado just to avoid a little unsightly oxidation on your leftovers—there are a few simple tricks to keep avocados from turning brown. The easiest options? Squeeze lime or lemon juice on the cut side of the avocado, as the acid helps lower the pH level to ward off browning. Then, wrap it in an airtight container to help minimize oxygen exposure and store it in the fridge.
The rules are a bit different when figuring out how to keep guacamole from turning brown, so be sure to brush up on those tricks, too—including checking out this viral Guac Lock storage container.
FAQs
“Avocados with spots due to vascular browning or oxidation are safe to eat,” said Janilyn Hutchings, a certified professional in food safety and a food scientist for StateFoodSafety. “The brown spots aren't as flavorful, so you may want to cut them away, but they won't hurt you.”
Is it OK to eat brown avocado flesh? ›
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).
Is it okay to eat black parts of avocado? ›
Another possible sign of rotting is dark streaks in the flesh. Still, some avocados — particularly those harvested from young trees — may have dark streaks even though they're not rotten. If the fruit looks good otherwise and doesn't taste off, it's fine to eat.
Is there a wrong way to eat avocados? ›
While avocado aficionados often eat the fruit using a spoon, experts say they are missing out on the most nutritious part. Instead of digging in with cutlery, the best way to keep the healthy dark green flesh just beneath the skin is to peel the fruit, after halving.
Is it safe to eat avocado with brown strings? ›
Is It OK to Eat Avocado with Brown Strings? In a word, yes. "Although these fibers may be unsightly, they are safe for consumption," Splane says.
When should you not eat an avocado? ›
Inside Texture and Appearance
Fresh, ripe avocados have a smooth, creamy consistency. However, if the flesh appears brown or gray, has dark or discolored patches inside, feels slimy or mushy, or has extensive brown spots or streaks, these are clear indicators of overripeness.
Why is my avocado a bit brown inside? ›
Avocados that are brown on the inside are still edible, but may not offer the best flavor or texture. Browning may be caused by oxidation that occurs when the avocado is exposed to air. This process can result in a less-than-ideal flavor and texture from the avocado.
Should avocados be refrigerated? ›
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.
Is there a downside to eating avocados? ›
Overeating avocados can cause adverse effects: Weight gain. Despite being an unsaturated fat, eating too many avocados can lead to weight gain due to the fat content. This can result in nutritional deficiencies because fat is digested more slowly and leaves you feeling fuller longer than other nutrients.
Why are chefs ditching avocados? ›
Problems include deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and water shortage in growing communities. Avocado farming is increasingly linked to deforestation, biodiversity loss, and water shortages.
Obese patients, or people that want to lose weight
Avocados are rich in fats, so eating too much of this fruit may result in uncontrollable weight gain. Because of this, it is advised to reduce the amount of avocados in your daily meals if you are aiming to shed some excessive weight.
What are the stringy worms in avocados? ›
The strings might be a bit of a nuisance, but they're harmless! So what are they, exactly? These strings are actually vascular bundles, meaning they are responsible for bringing all those nutrients and water from the tree into the fruit (yes avocado is a fruit). Without them there would be no avocado at all!
Is it OK to eat black bits in avocado? ›
The black part, while unappetizing, won't make you sick, Holliday said. And initially, it will only affect the thin layer of avocado flesh that's been exposed to air, so you can either cut the black part away with a paring knife or mash it up with the greener flesh below so it's barely noticeable.
How to tell if an avocado is bad inside? ›
Cut it open to see how bad the damage is. If squeezing the avocado results in indentation and the inside has bits that are salvageable, use it for mashed preparations like in a guacamole, rather than slicing it. If the indentation is deep or fruit downright mushy, it'll likely need to be tossed.
Can you eat part of a bad avocado? ›
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 should avoid anything with streaky flesh, a bad smell, taste, or mold growing on it.
Can you still eat avocado with brown spots? ›
Though they don't look appetizing, avocados with slight vascular browning are usually harmless. With time, as the browning gets heavier or turns black, it's best to toss the fruit, as a rancid taste comes with dying vascular cells.
Is brown avocado spread safe to eat? ›
Although brown guacamole isn't the most appealing, it's completely safe to eat (as long as you've stored the guacamole in the refrigerator, and it isn't more than three days old). "While a bit off-putting to look at, brown guacamole is totally safe," confirms Food Network's nutritionist, Dana Angelo White, MS RD ATC.
What is the brown layer on avocado? ›
Avocados contain an enzyme called polyphenol oxidase, which causes the flesh to brown when exposed to air—or more specifically, when it's exposed to oxygen.
